William Louis Burk

William Louis Burk, “fine figure of a man,” enjoyed a long and meaningful life before dementia took his mind from us years before blessedly taking his body at age 84 on February 1, 2024, to “whatever comes next.” Born and raised in Ava, Missouri, he attended college at the School of the Ozarks. His jobs there included teaching, working as a lineman and bridge builder, and at the University of Missouri Extension Office. Career opportunities brought him to Florida where he was the first man to work at the University of Florida Home Economics Department. During his time there, he took a sabbatical to spend a year in Quito, Ecuador, helping set up their version of a 4-H program. He returned to teaching high school until he retired. But he wasn’t finished working yet. He became a certified personal fitness trainer and worked in local gyms to help people meet their health goals. Bill was preceded in death by parents Mearle and Lorene, sister June, son Dane, and bonus son John, all of whom he looked forward to seeing again. He is survived by loving wife and dance partner of 31 years, Janet (Seldenright) Burk, siblings Carole Litman and Ted Burk (Jackie), daughters April Clark (Sam), Angela Smith, and Eva Burk, bonus children Brian & Gina Swinderman, daughter-in-law Loyda Santana Silva, a dozen delightful grandchildren, four adorable great grandchildren, and numerous lovely nieces and cousins. He taught many of them to be gracious when playing games by his example of victoriously throwing his arms in the air and gleefully crowing, “I’m a loser!” He will be remembered for his sense of humor, attitude of gratitude, advocacy for civil rights and ecological concerns, healthy lifestyle (walking, jogging, bicycling, walking on stilts, martial arts, calisthenics and weight training, and hiking many parts of the Appalachian Trail), writings that include memoirs, poetry, silly limericks, and published articles, and volunteer work for multiple entities, most notably with Haven Attic Resale Store and Alachua County Friends of the Library (as alter-ego “Virgil” because there were too many Bills volunteering there already). He was honored to have his name etched on a leaf of Katherine’s Tree in the the main branch of the library in Gainesville, which represented giving and sharing. In lieu of flowers, please share a story or photo or support one of the causes near and dear to Bill’s heart such as Alachua Country Friends of the Library and Haven Hospice or send up a loving hello.

William Louis Burk

October 21, 1939 - February 1, 2024