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Bob Walker and Ramona DeHart Walker planted 3 trees in memory of William "Bill" Burnett
Thursday, August 20, 2020
3 trees were planted in memory of
William "Bill" Burnett
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Bunny, Our hearts broke when we heard about Bills passing. He will always be in our hearts. Our love and prayers are with you. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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222 Crew planted 3 trees in memory of William "Bill" Burnett
Friday, July 31, 2020
3 trees were planted in memory of
William "Bill" Burnett
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Ramona DeHart Walker and Bob Walker uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, August 20, 2020
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Bob and I will always hold Bill's memory in our hearts. He was a very bright spot in our life. We were deeply saddened when we heard of his passing and will remain so for a long time. The times we spent with Bill and Bunny were few because we didn't get to the Smokey Mountains very often but those visits were so special. Bill was always such fun to be around and he and Bunny really made us welcome and feel loved. Bill told me more about my DeHart heritage than I ever thought possible and some great stories along the way. He knew quite a bit about the Freemans and the Kirklands and every other name I could think of that my mother mentioned to me. It was amazing!
He was one of those people that when they leave this earth to go to a better place there always remains an amazing gift to those that were lucky enough to be a part of his life. That gift is just knowing him and being so much better for it. Bunny we love you. Bill wrote many times in emails how much you and the family meant to him and how you were always there for him. Our love and prayers are with you now and forever.
Mona and Bob
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Brian Bowers posted a condolence
Friday, July 31, 2020
Bill,
Thank you for your service to Swain County and North Carolina. Bill was a great man and encouraged me to pursue a career in Law Enforcement 28 years and still serving. Thanks for the encouragement. Bill is a true hero not only did he serve but he taught others to serve and instructed them by teaching.
RIP MY BROTHER IN BLUE.
Lt. Brian Bowers
Wake County Sheriff’s Office
Raleigh, NC
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The family of William "Bill" Burnett uploaded a photo
Friday, July 31, 2020
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Deb Queen posted a condolence
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Bunny, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I don't know if you remember me, I lost my husband 14 years ago and you helped me through a lot of tough days when he was taking radiation. I'll never forget you for that.. GOD BLESS You. Debbie Queen (Edwin). Love and Prayers.
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Joe Hamilton posted a condolence
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Bunny,,,,,,I am very sad to hear about Bill...….You and Bill have been such good friends to me for many years. Joe Hamilton
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Laura lit a candle
Thursday, July 30, 2020
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Bunny and family i am so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you during this time.Just knowing Bill i am most certain he is in heaven walking with Jesus. Love ya Laura and Garrett Russell
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Melba Elders Posted Aug 17, 2020 at 2:58 PM
Bunny and your family. We are so sorry for the loss of your husband and know he was a great family man and gave a lot of his time to Swain County and the Reservation.
It was nice working with you at Swain County Hospital a few yeas ago when we opened the Swing Bed Unit.
Sending our sympathy from our home in DeLand, FL.
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Diann W. Ball posted a condolence
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Prayers for you Bunny, the children, and siblings. May the fond memories you share of Bill bring comfort to you.
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Carol VanCleve and Renee Hernandez planted a tree in memory of William "Bill" Burnett
Thursday, July 30, 2020
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With sympathy Bunny. We know you will miss Bill terribly but his legacy will continue to live. We love you. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Jim Casada posted a condolence
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Bunny--Although Bill, in his honest, forthright way, had made it clear to me in the last e-mail we exchanged that the end was near, when I first learned of his passing through Tipper Pressley's "Blind Pig & the Acorn" blog, it was still an emotional blow. I didn't know Bill growing up but thanks to our shared roots and love of Swain County and mountain folkways, we had become solid friends over the course of the last couple of decades. I always enjoyed seeing him and always knew that if I had some question on the local past or mountain folkways that he was a prime source of information.
Bill was a caring, sharing man, and he cared about you and his family with a depth of feeling which exceeds the power of words to describe. He also had a deep commitment to his highland homeland and its people, and the nature and course of his career--one of service to his fellow man--shows as much.
A bit later this morning I'll head out to my garden for my daily round of work and harvesting, and as I trod down a row of Chinese okra planted from seeds Bill sent to me, I'll think of him with a wry smile on my face even as emotions cloud my vision.
Hopefully you and all those he loved so dearly will find some solace in realization of the fact that Bill was someone who left large and meaningful footsteps as he walked through his earthly journey.
Jim Casada
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karon barefoot posted a condolence
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Heaven gained another law enforcement angel. Prayers for Bunny, and the family.
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Kristy Carver Moran posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Mama Bunny & family, I’m so very heartbroken to hear of your loss. Bill was a great man and I feel blessed to have known him. He fought a very brave & courageous fight. Now he no longer has to fight, no more sickness or pain, only peace & happiness. There will come a time when we will know that peace too & will see him again. I pray that God wraps his arms around your family now and all the days ahead and gives you comfort. My love and prayers go out to all of you. Bill will be greatly missed by so many.
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Theresa Moss posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Bunny and family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers that God will take care of you at this difficult time. Rely on God to help you and remember the precious memories.
Love and Prayers,
Theresa C. Moss. (Burch)
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Judy Donahoe posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
My heart goes out to you, no words can express.....
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Ed Ammons posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Bunny, I feel like I have lost my best friend, a brother and a co-conspirator all at the same time. We hadn't seen each in many years but in the past several years we reconnected by email and carried on many a conversation.
Bill and I are 3rd cousins according to genealogical standards but were related many different ways mostly through the Breedloves, DeHarts and Smileys. We agreed that if we calculated our shared genes we would be at least as close as brothers. We both grew up on Needmore. He was a little older than me so we weren't as close then as I feel we have become. We shared our heartbreaks and our joys. I made jerky, dried apples and rendered bacon grease and sent them to him. I made a silver ring from a silver quarter with the date of your birth year to give to you. I always remembered your's and his anniversary because it is on my birthday. I guess I am rambling now but I could spend days recount fond memories.
I also do genealogical work and Bill was my partner in building a family tree with over 100,000 souls in it. He was an encyclopedia when it came to Swain County citizens both historically and present. He was my go to when all else failed.
I have a rare book about the Wikle family in Southwestern North Carolina. Bill sent it to me to go over and when I asked when he wanted it back he said for me to keep it, that I could use it more than he could. I think he knew then that he would be gone before me. If you or any of the children and grandchildren want it back, let me know and I will get it to them.
Forgive the spelling and grammar but it's hard to see through the tears that keep welling up. Just remember I love all of you just like I did him. If you need me for anything I am always here on the other side of this monitor and would be honored to try. You have my email address. Please stay in touch!
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Sandra and Ed Sutton posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Prayers for you, Bunny and the family! There is no doubt where he is and saying "don't cry, I'll be waiting for you." Ed and I will miss him.
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Andrea Crisp posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Prayers for you all. He fought a good fight. He kept the faith.
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Willa Jean DeHart lit a candle
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
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Bunny, I am so sorry for your loss. Just remember all the sweet memories that you all have made through the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you today and the weeks to come. Love you, Willa Jean
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Darlene Crisp posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Thank you Bill for your ongoing service to Swain County over the years. You were a special person.
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Treva Franklin. posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Bunny and all of the family. my heart goes out to you all, Just know you all will be In my thought and prayers.Bill was a wonderful Man. he will be missed by so many Big Hug Bunny. Love you dear friend. Treva Franklin.
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Allen posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
I remember Bill Burnett in many faucets. I remember his presence at the many Swain County High School sporting events. He always had an encouraging word about one's game performance. I remember him from the days I worked at the Nantahala Village as the Security Officer for the weekends when we were busiest. As the obituary stated, Bill loved to tell some stories and jokes. and I do remember that about him most as our security man. I loved what the obituary said about Bill being an imposing figure, a gentle giant, and one would never have to wonder which one you were dealing with because that joke telling man who loved to laugh could be the man in charge and you did know that. My greatest memory I have of that man in charge was on Wednesday, March 9, 1983. On this day in the afternoon around 4:00 pm he was one of many who responded to an automobile accident that had taken place on Needmore Road. This single car collision contained the bodies of my Great Uncle Lee Welch (who did survive), and my maternal Grandmother, Quanita Welch Lakey. My mother and I came upon the accident shortly after it occured. I was instructed by my Mother to go make a phone call at a local family member's house a short distance from where the accident took place. Upon my return to the accident I recall very distantly my Mother being comforted by Deputy Burnett because she looked at him and said, "Bill, my Mommy's dead isn't she?" Yes, he was the right man for any job he held with law enforcement.
My deepest sympathy to Bunny, Donald, and the other family members. Losing a loved one to cancer has impacted all of our lives. He fought the good fight, and now his journey his complete. He's with the MAN who is always in charge.
Respectfully,
Connie Allen
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Earl and Brenda Jones lit a candle
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
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Gary Evers Posted Jul 30, 2020 at 5:44 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I worked many 3rd shift nights with Bill at Swain County EMS, as well as officers of the Bryson City Police Department. We became good friends, and stayed in contact throughout the years. I'd let him know when I was going to be in Bryson at Nabers Drive Inn since moving away, and he always made sure to stop by and visit, our last visit being last fall. You will be missed my friend....RIP till we meet again!
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Crisp Funeral Home was established in 1997 by Michael L. Crisp to better serve the families of Swain County and surrounding areas.
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669 Highway 19 South - PO Box 1639
Bryson City, NC 28713
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