William R. Burke

It is with very heavy hearts that the family of William R. Burke, age 91, of Bel Air, Maryland announce his passing on February 27, 2025. Born on May 29, 1933, in Woodvale, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late William and Grace (Hawley) Burke and husband of Dorothy (Haeffner) Burke. He married Dorothy on September 7, 1958, and they celebrated their 67th anniversary in 2024. Bill attended Penn State University and graduated from Williamsport Technical Institute, majoring in civil engineering and construction. He first worked for Martin Marietta as an airplane draftsman until 1962, then he went to work for Western Electric and AT&T. He retired from AT&T in 1987 as an industrial engineer. He spent several years working for his son Billy’s company, Burke Construction, doing construction work that he loved. In 1990, Bill began his second career working for the Town of Bel Air Department of Public Works, where he worked part-time in the Planning Department for over 30 years until he finally retired at the age of 88. 

Affectionately called Pop Pop by his family and friends, he loved spending time with his wife Dorothy camping, biking, canoeing, playing tennis and hiking. He was a carpenter and built his family home. He loved watching the grandchildren playing sports, he enjoyed traveling with them to games, and he was their biggest fan. Pop Pop was beloved by his family and his family was everything to him. He loved each and every one of them. He never missed a Bel Air 4th of July parade or fireworks. He graduated from Robertsdale High School where he was on the football team and was in the band. The family would like to sincerely thank all the amazing caregivers that took part in Bill's care, including Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and all the doctors, nurses, and staff, Harford County Emergency Services, Amedysis Home Care and Hospice and Synergy Home Care. 

 In addition to his wife Bill is survived by his sons, Billy (Juanita) Burke, and David (Laureen) Burke; daughters, Susan Burke, and Teresa Rolek; grandchildren, Chris (Deanna) Bradford, Morgan, Jenna and Emmie Burke, Lindsay (Tim White) Burke, Michelle McPhail (Eric) Twilley, Michael (Dustin) McPhail, Caroline (Scott Drolette) McPhail, Matthew (Chelsea Pitts) McPhail, Stephanie Rolek, and Allison (Kyle Byard) Rolek; great-grandchildren, Kylie Cranford, Kinsley and Kamden Belfiore, Blake and Grace Twilley, Gage, Reed, Adrie, Brayden and Cayson McPhail, Mason, Owen and Easton Drollette, and Aubrey Pitts; friends, Ed Zaras, Mary Ellen Ramsey, and Butch Rourke; and many nieces & nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Hrabowenski, and brothers, Terry, and Jerry Burke.

Contributions may be made to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Cardiology.