Bill Text: VA SJR199 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of William Robert Burnette.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ199ER) [SJR199 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR199-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, William Robert Burnette, a passionate aviator and a respected entrepreneur in Norfolk, died on February 3, 2020; and
WHEREAS, a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, William "Bill" Burnette grew up during the Golden Age of Flight and developed a passion for aviation at a young age; he completed his first solo airplane flight at the age of 14 and earned his pilot's license before his driver's license; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Newport News High School, Bill Burnette joined the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II as a member of the United States Coast Guard; and
WHEREAS, Bill Burnette graduated from The College of William and Mary in 1950, then returned to military service as a member of the United States Air Force Reserve during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Bill Burnette pursued a rewarding 60-year career with the Equitable Life Assurance Society and was selected as an Equitable National Honor Agent and inducted into the company's Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements; and
WHEREAS, Bill Burnette started a second career as an entrepreneur when he helped his sons establish a self-storage company, which opened its first facility on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, in 1999; and
WHEREAS, Bill Burnette volunteered time and leadership to a number of local organizations, and he enjoyed fellowship and worship with the Norfolk community at the Church of the Good Shepherd, where he served as a senior warden; and
WHEREAS, Bill Burnette will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of more than 50 years, Betsy; his children, William, Jr., and Michael, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Robert Burnette, a respected member of the Norfolk community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Robert Burnette as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
