Obituary of William F. Burke

BURKE?William F., Sr., LCDR USN Ret of Lakewood formerly of the Woodbury area on Aug. 13, 2006. Aged 78 years. William was a Korean War Veteran who flew the Douglas SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber in addition to the F4U Corsair. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for having distinguished himself during the Korean War through "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight". Over his career as an Naval Aviator, William flew many of the Navy's active aircraft including most notably the SBD Dauntless, F4U Corsair, and McDonald Douglass A-3 Skywarrior, the only strategic bomber ever built for the Navy. He flew nearly all variants of the A-3, including the earliest Heavy Nuclear Attack Bombers to the A3D-2P the Navy's Heavy Photo Recon variant with the Squadron based in Agana, Guam. Over William?s career, he earned status as a centurian, double and triple centurian with over 100, 200 and 300 carrier landings on separate carriers logging thousands of flight hours in the process. While in the Navy, he also served as a flight instructor and test pilot at various times in his career. Early in the 1950's, William took a brief respite as a Naval Aviator to fly for TWA, after which he again returned to his career as a Naval Aviator. In addition to his career with the US Navy, William proudly served as a veteran of the US Marine Corps. He later worked as an administrative analyst for the State of NJ for 20 years prior to retirement in 1998. He is the beloved husband Agnes E. nee Kiley, devoted father of William F., Jr. Robert D., Patrick M., Mary A. Reed Brian, Thomas M. Debra and the late John G. Terri and Christopher S. Gail, loving grandfather of Billy III, Kelli, Jackie, Dennis, Kellie, Courtney, Brian, Jr., Jason, Harleigh, Raeann, Victor, Samantha, Lauren & Erin and great grandfather of Kaiden & Emma Rose. Viewing Fri. 6:30-9 PM and Sat. 11 AM in McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury, where funeral services will be held at 12 noon. Interment Colestown Cemetery, Cherry Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Disabled American Vets, PO Box 11447, Phila., PA 19111. Tributes & memories may be shared by clicking the "sign guestbook" icon. McGuinness Funeral Home ?The Lifetime Tribute Funeral Home?®