Wilson Burton, Jr.

Obituary: Concord, NC Wilson Holloway Burton, Jr., age 80, of Concord, passed away on Monday afternoon, April 1, 2019, at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. A funeral service to celebrate Wilson's life will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, April 5 at the Kannapolis Church of Christ, with Mr. Kirk Sams officiating. Burial will be private. His family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, April 4 at Whitley's Funeral Home. Mr. Burton was preceded in death by his mother, Mayme Bernice Reid Burton; father, W. H. (Jack) Burton; step-mother, "Jackie" Beck Burton; and brother, Windel Avery Burton. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Lillian (Lil) Kirby Burton, a daughter, Caren Elizabeth Burton of Concord, a son, Nathan Reid Burton (Christy) of Concord and his beloved granddaughter, Kaitlyn. A brother, Randal Burton (Teresa) of Franklinville. Also, a sister-in-law, Sherry Burton of Murfreesboro, TN and several in-laws, nieces and nephews from the Kirby family whom he loved as his own. Mr. Burton was born April 24, 1938, in Rowan Co. and spent most of his growing up years in Kannapolis, where he attended local schools and graduated from A. L. Brown High School in 1956. He attended David Lipscomb College, Nashville TN, earning a BS degree in Sociology, with a minor in Biblical Studies in 1961. He later obtained a Master's degree in Counseling from UNC-Charlotte. Wilson retired from the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in 1995, after working at Stonewall Jackson Correctional School for Boys for thirty-four years of counseling and social work. Known for his love of people and for his many interests and hobbies, Mr. Burton lived a life of service to others. He was quick to see and respond to the needs of people around him and to reach out in community service. Wilson was active in his children's schools, often serving as leader of Parent-teacher organizations as well as band and academic booster clubs. He served as Cub Scout Master for many years. He was active in the Jackson Park Volunteer Fire Department. Wilson had many hobbies and was always creating craft objects or pieces of furniture, which he delighted in sharing with friends - woodworking, making candles, landscaping, gardening and photography, to name a few. He was a member of the Kannapolis Church of Christ for 69 years and served in many capacities - Bible class teacher, leader of youth group activities, vacation bible school, song leader, counselor, deacon and elder. In addition to his Lord and his family, he loved and served Carolina Bible Camp and Retreat Center Inc. After attending the first year as a camper in 1956, he volunteered to work in many capacities: counselor, teacher, registrar, board member, treasurer, chairman of the board and as summer camp manager. In 2015, the Board of Directors awarded the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Wilson for his many years of service. Online Condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorial donations can be made to Carolina Bible Camp 1988 Jericho Church Rd, Mocksville, NC 27028 or to Kannapolis Church of Christ 2315 Concord Lake Rd, Kannapolis, NC 28083.
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday April 4, 2019 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 10:00 AM Friday April 5, 2019 Kannapolis Church of Christ

Interment: Private