WILLIAM L. BURRELL, SR.
CSM William (Bill) L. Burrell, Sr., 74, died at his home in Port St. Lucie, FL on March 28, 2014.
He was born in Brevard, NC on May 13, 1939 to the late Roy and Margaret Burrell. In 1958, he enlisted in the US Army and continued his career proudly serving our country for 27 years with tours in Vietnam, Germany and many bases in the United States. He was a highly-decorated veteran and received many awards, including the Purple Heart, for his service in Vietnam. He graduated from the Sergeant Major Academy in El Paso, TX in 1980 and achieved the highest appointment awarded to an enlisted serviceman of Command Sergeant Major. After retirement from the Armed Forces, he settled in Port St. Lucie, FL and was a JROTC Instructor for Ft. Pierce Central and Pt. St. Lucie High Schools sharing his knowledge with students for over 20 years.
Bill enjoyed reading, traveling, golfing, staying physically fit and spending time with his family. He worshipped and served as an elder at Sunlight Community Church and served his community by contributing his time to the Backpack Buddy Program at Manatee School and the Mustard Seed Ministries.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, LaCretia (Chris) Burrell; his son William L. Burrell, Jr. and wife, Carol of Port St. Lucie, daughter, Kimala Braboy of Paducah, KY, son-in-law Joe Lawrence of Port St. Lucie, FL; his grandchildren Kevin Burrell of Chattanooga, TN, Karah Braboy of Paducah, KY and Robbie Lawrence of Port St. Lucie, FL; sister-in-law Cindy Howle of Paducah, KY, brother-in-law Gene Howle and wife Darlene of Lakeland, FL; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, his daughter Renee’ Lawrence, his sisters June Nanney and Sue Reindl; his brothers John Burrell, Bob Burrell, infant brothers Fred and Frank Burrell; and son-in-law Robbin Braboy.
A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM till 1:30 PM with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 17th at Sunlight Community Church, 477 Cashmere Blvd., Port St. Lucie, with Pastor Scott Vanderploeg and Pastor James Vander Slik officiating. At a later time, he will be honored and interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Sunlight Community Church Building Fund or Backpack Buddy Program, both to be addressed to 477 Cashmere Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.