Obituary for Willie Erwin Burt
Willie Erwin Burt, of Greensboro, AL, passed away Saturday, January 23, at the age of 89.
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years Dorothy “Dotty” Corley Oden Burt. He is also survived by his children Larry and Gary Burt, both of Greensboro; Martha Joyce Burt of Tuscaloosa; and Amy Oden Simpson of Cumberland Gap, TN; and his grandchildren Craig (Allysia) Varnado of Brandon, MS; and Corley Kreiter and Sidney Simpson of Cumberland Gap. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest L. and Maude Fulton Burt; the mother of his three oldest children, Gwen Thompson Burt; and his daughter, Bethany Oden.
Born July 4, 1931, during the Great Depression in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Erwin graduated Valedictorian of Bond High School. He served in the Mississippi National Guard and was federalized during the Korean War, after which he attended Mississippi State University on the GI Bill. After graduating with a degree in dairy science, he worked for Sealtest in Birmingham, and on July 1, 1960, he became plant manager of Dairy Fresh Ice Cream in Greensboro. He moved into milk sales with Dairy Fresh Corporation, eventually serving as president and chairman of the board. He also partnered in several local businesses, including Plastics, Inc., which he co-founded with his longtime friends and business associates William “Fuzzy” York and Bob Tidmore. After he retired from Dairy Fresh, he remained president of Plastics, a position he held since the company’s founding in 1973 until his death.
Mr. Burt was a 50-year Mason and a long-serving member of the Lion’s Club. He held various leadership positions at First United Methodist Church of Greensboro. He was also a proud member of the “Shade Tree Bunch,” a group of golfing buddies at the Lakeview Country Club. For many years, he served as president of Alabama Dairy Products Association and Mississippi Dairy Products Association.
Mr. Burt will lie in state at First United Methodist Church of Greensboro from 9:30-10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 30. Following a brief service at the church, officiated by Rev. Doug Jolly, a graveside service will be held at the family’s private cemetery at Mr. Burt’s hunting camp “Mister Ed’s,” 2741 County Road 28, Sawyerville, with Revs. Jolly and Steve Vernon. Masking is required, and social distancing protocol will be observed at both locations.
Pallbearers are: Michael Arrington, Braz Barnette, Kerry Duncan, John Marchant, Joe Sledge, Rick Washburn, and Jimbo York. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. John Summerford, John Ferguson, John Jay, Jr., the Excelsior Sunday School class, employees of Plastics, Inc., and the Shade Tree Bunch.
Kirk Funeral Home of Greensboro is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 73, Greensboro, AL 36744.
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years Dorothy “Dotty” Corley Oden Burt. He is also survived by his children Larry and Gary Burt, both of Greensboro; Martha Joyce Burt of Tuscaloosa; and Amy Oden Simpson of Cumberland Gap, TN; and his grandchildren Craig (Allysia) Varnado of Brandon, MS; and Corley Kreiter and Sidney Simpson of Cumberland Gap. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest L. and Maude Fulton Burt; the mother of his three oldest children, Gwen Thompson Burt; and his daughter, Bethany Oden.
Born July 4, 1931, during the Great Depression in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Erwin graduated Valedictorian of Bond High School. He served in the Mississippi National Guard and was federalized during the Korean War, after which he attended Mississippi State University on the GI Bill. After graduating with a degree in dairy science, he worked for Sealtest in Birmingham, and on July 1, 1960, he became plant manager of Dairy Fresh Ice Cream in Greensboro. He moved into milk sales with Dairy Fresh Corporation, eventually serving as president and chairman of the board. He also partnered in several local businesses, including Plastics, Inc., which he co-founded with his longtime friends and business associates William “Fuzzy” York and Bob Tidmore. After he retired from Dairy Fresh, he remained president of Plastics, a position he held since the company’s founding in 1973 until his death.
Mr. Burt was a 50-year Mason and a long-serving member of the Lion’s Club. He held various leadership positions at First United Methodist Church of Greensboro. He was also a proud member of the “Shade Tree Bunch,” a group of golfing buddies at the Lakeview Country Club. For many years, he served as president of Alabama Dairy Products Association and Mississippi Dairy Products Association.
Mr. Burt will lie in state at First United Methodist Church of Greensboro from 9:30-10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 30. Following a brief service at the church, officiated by Rev. Doug Jolly, a graveside service will be held at the family’s private cemetery at Mr. Burt’s hunting camp “Mister Ed’s,” 2741 County Road 28, Sawyerville, with Revs. Jolly and Steve Vernon. Masking is required, and social distancing protocol will be observed at both locations.
Pallbearers are: Michael Arrington, Braz Barnette, Kerry Duncan, John Marchant, Joe Sledge, Rick Washburn, and Jimbo York. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. John Summerford, John Ferguson, John Jay, Jr., the Excelsior Sunday School class, employees of Plastics, Inc., and the Shade Tree Bunch.
Kirk Funeral Home of Greensboro is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 73, Greensboro, AL 36744.