Richard Thomas Burton

Richard Thomas Burton, 90, of Abilene passed away on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 following a lengthy illness.

An Abilenian for more than 60 years, Burton was active with St. Paul United Methodist Church, the Southwest Rotary Club, the West Texas Girl Scout Council and various other civic groups. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked over 30 years with West Texas Builders Supply.

A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he was born to Lamkin and Mabel Burton on April 27, 1931 and graduated from Tuscaloosa High School and the University of Alabama with a degree in business administration. He joined the Navy as a lieutenant upon graduation and was stationed in Foley, Alabama for four years.

On April 26, 1958, he married Charlotte (Shotti) Oates of Abilene and the couple relocated to her hometown in 1959. He worked briefly for the Abilene Reporter-News in the advertising department before beginning his career with West Texas Builders Supply. He retired in 1994, but continued his active involvement in the local community.

At St. Paul UMC, Burton served on the Administrative Board and was a lifelong member of the Beacon Sunday School Class. He was a longtime teacher of the third grade Sunday School class, and later became involved with the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF), St. Paul Handbell Choir, and Television Ministry.

As a member of the Southwest Rotary Club, Burton was a Paul Harris Fellow and had over 30 years of perfect attendance.

He was dedicated to his family and became involved with the Girl Scouts along with his wife and daughters. He was a Troop Dad, served on the West Texas Council board of directors and was a member of the Camp Committee for Camp Booth Oaks. He received the Girl Scout "Thanks Badge" for his service.

Burton additionally served as a volunteer with ticket operations for a number of years at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo, and later volunteered in the office for the Presbyterian Medical Care Mission.

In addition to his family, he enjoyed travel, University of Alabama football, square dancing and various crafts such as woodworking, Ukranian egg dying, and weaving. He and his wife were members of the West Texas Weavers Guild.

Burton was preceded in death by his wife, Shotti of 60 years, son Blake, his parents and a brother and niece.

He is survived by daughters Becky Burton of Fort Worth and Patricia Fleming and husband Stan of North Richland Hills; sister-in-law Sue Burton of Bellaire, Florida; six nieces and nephews; and 13 great nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Lyndale of Abilene, Wesley Court Nursing and Hendrick Hospice for the care he received.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Graveside service will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, October 6th at Elmwood Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be sent to:

• St. Paul United Methodist Church Music or Television Ministry (525 Beech Street; Abilene, Texas 79601)

• Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains (4901 Briarhaven Road; Fort Worth, Texas 76109)

• Hendrick Hospice (1651 Pine Street; Abilene, Texas 79601).

The memorial service will be live streamed. The link is listed below.

https://subsplash.com/st-paul-abilene/lb/mi/+9drv56p