Thomas Bill Burton

Thomas Bill Burton affectionately known as “Bill” departed this life on January 23, 2022. He was the eldest child to Tom and Mursyd Burton. He was born 6/16/1935. Bill was born in Americus, Georgia and the family moved to Virginia Beach Virginia during his early years. At age 13 Bill showed an interest in building things. He attended Norfolk State College where he studied masonry and blueprint. He formed Burton and Burton Masonry and Construction early on and worked all over the Tidewater area designing and building homes and apartments and commercial buildings. Some of his works include Malibu Apartments and Homes, Level Green Apartments and homes in Cavalier Manor and Camelot in Chesapeake. He was a mentor to many young men and helped them become efficient in masonry and construction. Bill continued his construction in Washington DC area until his retirement. He was one of four Black men who formed the first Black union in Norfolk, Virginia. Bill married Elsie Evans and to that union he fathered six children. He later married Betty. Later in life he met and married Valerie Taylor. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Henry Burton, a sister Theotis Green, his daughter Tabitha Taylor Boone and his former wives, Elsie and Betty Burton. Bill was a dedicated member of True Deliverance Church of God Ministries. He had a close relationship with his Bishop and his church family. He attended church regularly until his health began to fail. He still watched the online services faithfully every Sunday. His favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalm. Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife Valerie Taylor Burton (Capital Heights, MD), his children Derek Burton (Atlanta, GA), Katrice Winston (St. John, FL), Valencia (Mary) (St. John, FL), Marc Burton (Knoxville TN), Jill Turrentine (St John, FL), Mari Haggins (Norfolk, VA), Christopher Taylor (Grayson, VA), and Antonio Porter, Sr. (Lakeisha) (Junction City, Kansas); his siblings- Naza Coleman (Chesapeake, VA), Elder David Burton (Mary) (Virginia Beach, VA), Rev. Eva B. Stallings (Virginia Beach, VA), Elizabeth Lawrence (Chesapeake, VA), Pastor Leroy Burton (Patricia) (Virginia Beach, VA), 20 grandchildren to include his devoted grandchildren Marquis Parker, Carsyn Turrentine, Cierra Taylor, Tienna Matthews, Tina Burton, Christopher Burton and 13 great-grandchildren; one sister-in law Cynthia Simms (Ivan) (Suffolk, VA), brother in law James Taylor, Jr. (Shirley) (Suffolk, VA) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We humbly submit to God’s will. He will be sorely missed. A celebration of life will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Bill Burton, please visit our flower store.