William Donald "Don" Burton

William Donald Burton, 90, of Spartanburg died peacefully at home on Burton Road on July 17th, after a long battle with cancer. Don was born in Algood, Tennessee on January 1, 1934. He was the son of Reverend Fred and Notie McCormick Burton. Don was the valedictorian of his high school class and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BS in Industrial Engineering. He served in the military for five years as a US Naval officer. Don worked in nuclear weapons in Albuquerque, New Mexico and San Diego, California. After military service he moved to Spartanburg and was employed by Milliken & Company. He retired as Corporate Controller after 37 years of service.

Don was a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers, a scout master for the Boy Scouts, a Little League baseball coach, and a school board member for District Three of Spartanburg. He also delivered Mobile Meals.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Pat Gorman Burton and his three children, William D. Burton, Jr (Catherine), Brian Patrick Burton (Stephanie), and Lisa Burton Ruiz (Nelson). Don was very proud of his nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, Christanne Burton Haught, and his beloved granddaughter, Cheney Burton.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 22 at three o’clock at J.F. Floyd Mortuary’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street in Spartanburg. Burial will be held at a later date at the Burton Family Cemetery in Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mobile Meals, E. Main Street, Spartanburg 29302.