William Burden

William "Bill" E. Burden, a long time resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away peacefuly at the VA Center in Norman, Oklahoma, on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009. He was born January 8, 1922 in Des Arc, Arkansas. At two years of age, Bill was adopted by the Burden family in Nowata, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, Bill attended Oklahoma State University before enlisting in the army. He was a highly decorated soldier, serving in Italy, Sicily and Africa during World War II. After Bill's honorable discharge in 1945, he married Concetta Dragon and they had three daughters. Two of Bill's daughters, Aletta Messer and Ann Marie Strada, preceded him in death. He is survived by one daughter, Carroll Maseli of New Orleans, Louisiana. Bill and Concetta divorced in 1963 and Bill married Pidgion Carr of Bartlesville in 1967. Pidgion passed away in September 2009. Bill is also survived by Pidgion's son, Ronald Terry Carr. Pidgion's other son, Robert Gary Carr, passed away in April 2013. Bill had seven grandchildren: Willie Messer, Marna Messer-Seligner, Larry Strada, Dominic Strada, Jimmy Carr, Jason Carr, Darin Carr and many great grandchildren in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Colorado. Bill was a letter carrier throughout the Bartlesville area for many years. After his retirement in 1982, he and Pidgion spent many winters in Donna, Texas. Bill was an accomplished pianist, singer and member of the "Rio Band" in the Texas Valley. He enjoyed many hobbies, including jewelry making, constructing bird houses, building lawn chairs and all kinds of arts and crafts projects. Bill and Pidgion were both active members of Bluestem Baptist Church in Dewey, Oklahoma. They were also grateful to have had such wonderful friends and neighbors throughout Bartlesville. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2013 in the Walker-Brown Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Bruce Almy officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #105 Honor Guard. Arrangements are under the direction of Walker-Brown Funeral Home.

William Burden

January 8, 1922 - November 24, 2013