William Burks Jr.

William L. Burks, Jr. - a well known businessman for over 50 years exchanged this life for eternal joy on Thursday, April 26, 2007 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family. He was born the second child to the late William L. Burks, Sr. and Mattie Rebecca Agnew Burks on April 23, 1926 in Faunsdale (Hale County) Alabama. He completed his high school education in Chattanooga, TN and attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL to learn the trade of Tailoring/Alteration. While at A&M, he met his wife of 59 years, Sidney Brown Burks, and this union was blessed with four children. He worked for Conrad the Tailor, for several years, and eventually opened his own Tailoring Shop. This was the beginning of his humble, but successful entrepreneurialship. everything he touched seemed to prosper. He was the owner of a taxicab company, several coin laundromats, full service gasoline stations, convenience stores, and rental properties. He service his county with dignity and honor during the Korean War. While serving, he mastered the aircraft mechanic trade and upon his return to Mobile, he was employed by Brookley Air Force Base for 12 years until is dissolution . As a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church #1, he served as a Sunday School Teacher, President of the Laymen Brotherhood and a member of the Deacon Board. He served his community on numerous boards including those of Commonweath National Bank, Mobile Mental Health Foundation, Dearborn Street YMCA, United Way of Southwest Alabama, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., St. Mary's Home for Children, Prichard Kiwanis Club, St. James Major Catholic School Endowment, and Mobile city Federation of women Clubs Advisory Board. He also held memberships in the following organizations: Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Mobile Chapter, Connecting Link of the Greater Mobile Chapter of The Links, Inc., Kiwanis International-Prichard Chapter, Midnight Mystics Social and Civic Club, 100 Black Men-Mobile Chapter, Alabama A&M Alumni Association, Hiram Lodge # 3 of Free and Accepted Masons, Agnew Family Reunion National President, Mobile United, Mobile Emergency Planning Council, United Way of Southwest Alabama Planning Council, and Mobile Downtown Redevelopment Commission. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Willie Burks. Lamenting his demise, but forever cherishing his memory is his devoted and loving wife of 59 years, Sidney Brown Burks; four loving children, Joycelyn (Allen) Love, Mona Burks Howard, William (Cassaundra) Burks, III, all of Mobile, AL and Frederick (Shalonda) Burks, Atlanta, GA; seven grandchildren, Mia Renee and Lauren Nicole Love, Andrea Renee Howard, Mobile, AL, Jewel Melanie Burks, Nashville, TN, Williams Louis, IV, Patrick Leonard, and Preston Inge Burks, Mobile, AL; two sisters, Mary Ford, Birmingham, AL and Mattie Theresa (Edward) Leonard, Shaker Heights, OH; one brother, Volume Leslie (Ora) Burks, Uniontown, AL; one aunt, LaGrande Bettis, Chattanooga, TN; one brother-in-law, Harvey (Helen) Brown, LaGrange, GA; six sisters-in-law, Sadie Lawson, Nashville, TN, Sallie (Ben) Swain, and Alberta Swain, Alpine, AL, Emily (James) McClendon, Lima, OH, Doris Brown, Columbus, GA and Hattie Burks, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, three devoted, Cleveland (Edith) Rivers, Council (Mary) Powell and Deacon Jimmie Bell. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. in the C. T. McKinnis Memorial Chapel of Johnson-Allen Mortuary. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. until the 12 noon funeral hour at Mt. Olive Baptist Church #1, 409 Lexington Avenue, Mobile, AL. Rev. Ernest G. Scott, Pastor. Interment will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery.