William Robert Burton, 85, of Jefferson City, who was a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent assigned to Poplar Bluff for many years, left our earthly world on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. He died at home with family members at his side just weeks after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
He was born Nov. 11, 1937, to Melba Maureen (Main) Burton and William Pierce Burton in La Crosse, Wis. He married Phyllis Aileen Tea in Downers Grove, Ill., on May 21, 1960. They were happily
married for 62 years. Phyllis survives at home.
Other survivors include his three sons, Bill Burton (Karen) of St. Peters, Mo., Pete Burton (Cindy) of Stilwell, Kan., and Jon Burton (Marcia) of Jefferson City; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one grandson.
Bill grew up in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. He graduated with a degree in accounting in 1959 from the University of Iowa, where he was “Herky the Hawk,” the iconic, costumed mascot of the
Iowa Hawkeye athletic teams since 1948.
From 1959 through 1962 he served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer, paratrooper and helicopter pilot, leaving the service with the rank of Captain. After working briefly as an accountant, Bill became an FBI special agent. After graduation from the FBI Academy, his assignments included Pine Bluff, Ark., Poplar Bluff, St. Louis and Jefferson City.
Bill retired from the FBI in 1989 in Jefferson City, where he and Phyllis remained. He continued work as a private investigator doing background checks and other assignments for federal and state agencies.
Bill Burton’s main life passion was his family. He especially loved being around and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren while attending their events – grandparents day at school, track meets, plays, soccer and volleyball matches, marching band shows, choir performances, scout camp and church camp. Whatever they were doing, he was there.
His other passions were being in the great outdoors, his church, Boy Scouts, law enforcement, and wrestling. He loved the outdoors and particularly enjoyed canoeing, camping and hiking, as well as taking care of his own yard.
He took his family on countless canoe camping trips. His blue International Travelall with two canoes on top was well-known all along the Current, Jacks Fork and Eleven Point rivers.
He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Jefferson City for nearly 40 years, participating in many activities, committees and leadership positions during that time.
He was involved in Boy Scouting since his boyhood. He got involved in Scouting again as an adult in the 1960s and had been active since then. He wore many Boy Scout hats, serving as a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and numerous positions at the local, District and Council levels.
Bill took scouts on many trips to the famed Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and the Boundary Waters Area high adventure canoe camps along the U.S. – Canadian border, some with his
sons in their youth and later in life with scouting friends. His Boy Scout involvement touched thousands of teens and young adults.
Always a staunch supporter of law enforcement, Bill was an active member of the Southeast Missouri Peace Officers Association. He later served on the Jefferson City Police Personnel Board and
supported the Missouri State Highway Patrol MASTERS program that provides care for families of troopers killed in the line of duty. After retiring, he was a member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
While stationed in Poplar Bluff, Bill was a key investigative figure involved in solving the January, 1973, murders of Grandin banker Bob Kitterman, his wife and teen-aged daughter in an
extortion/abduction scheme. He was the first officer to arrive at the bank after Kitterman was abducted, securing that crime scene until county sheriff’s officers, state troopers and 20 more FBI agents arrived.
Bill also assisted Highway Patrol Cpl. Bennie Rapert in arresting Dallas Ray Delay of Van Buren two days after the murders. Delay, now 83, pleaded guilty and is serving multiple life sentences in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the murders.
Bill loved sports, especially high school and college wrestling. He was a life-long Iowa Hawkeye and long-time wrestling season ticket holder, as well as a strong supporter of the Missouri Tigers wrestling team. He attended many wrestling events, even scheduling vacations and trips around matches and tournaments that he wanted to watch in person.
Lastly, Bill was a “people person.’ He loved talking with people and knew folks almost everywhere he went. He was known by lots of names by lots of people: Mr. B, Troublemaker, Billy Bob,
and to his FBI co-workers, “The Shadow.”
He was devoted to his bride, Phyllis, and they enjoyed the company of many friends together over the years. His favorite Bible verse was Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” And he lived that, particularly during his brief illness.
Thanks for being an awesome son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Happy Paddling!!
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Jefferson City. His long-time friend, the Rev. Kurt Schuermann, former pastor of
First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff, will lead the service. Bill’s two favorite food groups, pie and ice cream, will be served immediately following the funeral. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Great Rivers Boy Scout Council “Camp Scholarships” to help send underprivileged youth to summer camp. The Council address is 6081 W. Van Horn Tavern Rd., Columbia, MO 65203.