May 27, 1947 - February 24, 2024
William “Bill” Eugene Burke, was born May 27, 1947 in Belle Fourche, S.D., to Robert “Bob” and Jackie (Kane - Cuddy) Burke. They lived near Tuthill on what is known as the Winchester place and then later moved to Keenesburg, Colo. in 1956. During summer breaks, he would head back to South Dakota to work on the family ranch near Patricia and also other nearby ranches. He rodeoed throughout high school, riding barebacks and bulls. He was tough as nails and lived his dream of being a cowboy. Bill graduated from Weld Central High School in Keenesburg in 1965.
After graduation, Bill headed to Texas where he worked on The King Ranch. In the late 1960’s, he moved back to South Dakota. He worked at a couple of ranches near the Martin/ Vetal area including The Putnam Ranch and as a hired hand for Bob and Marj Bucholz. He subsequently met and married JoAnn Huffman. The couple then moved to The Flying A Ranch near Arnold, Nebr. During this time, Andrea was born in November of 1970. In March of 1971, Bill was in a horrific car accident. After being divorced and completing rehab for his accident, Bill moved back to Colorado. He lived the last 53 years with severe injuries suffered in that accident. Never once in those 53 years did he ever complain or feel sorry for himself. He lived in Greeley where he held a couple of jobs until his injuries would no longer enable him to work. He stayed true to the cowboy motto “Cowboy Up”.
Bill married Betty Mecum in 1981. They were married for 25 years until her death in 2006. Bill remained in Greeley, living alone, and collecting aluminum cans for extra spending money. In 2017, when he was unable to adequately care for himself, he moved into an assisted living facility in Northglenn, nearer to his sister, Judy. As his health continued to decline, he moved into a skilled nursing facility in Northglenn. He resided there until his death on Feb. 24, 2024.
Bill is preceded in death by his father, Robert Burke, mother, Jackie Coursey, wife, Betty, and sister, Sandi Weickum. He is succeeded in life by his daughter Andrea (Jason) Fanning, grandchildren: Sabrina, Rhett (Rickie), Gabe and Laney. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry (Sharon) Burke and sister, Judy Williams, as well as several nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles. Funeral services are being planned for the Summer of 2024. Please visit his memorial page to share pictures and comments: https://www.inmemoriamservices. com/obituary/William-Burke
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“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Dr. Seuss