Willie James "William" Burton was born in D'Lo, Mississippi on July 20, 1946, to the late Mr. Freddie & Allie Burden (affectionately known as Papa and Big Mama). He was the sixth of nine children. Willie accepted Christ at an early age was baptized and became a member of St. Mary Baptist Church. He attended and graduated from Harper High School. He later married Earnestine Brown and to this union came four children. He was a truck driver for many years (VanLines & Popeyes) and he was a carpenter for over 27 years until he retired. He loved gardening, playing cards, checkers, dominos, and talking noise, but in the end he would win. Everybody always loved going by "Uncle Willie's" house, but be prepared that the bathroom could very well be a closet the next day. That's how fast he would change his house around. They would say "Uncle Willie didn't you have the carport and front door on this side the other day?" He would laugh and respond by saying "Oh yeah" and explain the reasoning behind the change. That is what he loved to do; build and work on things. He also loved helping everybody in his community.

Willie leaves to cherish his memory: his significant other, Vanessa, whom he loved dearly; three children, Diane Handy, Sue (Michael) Jones and Mary Livingston all of New Orleans, Louisiana; nine grandchildren, Toshia, Tomeka, Arthur, Bernard Jr., Renard, Tiffany, Tynia, Tangi, and William; ten great grandchildren, Arthur Jr., Melanie, Chloe, Renard Jr., Roman, Jayden, Avery, Ayden, Chelsea, and Chevy; his siblings, Alzean Skiffer of D'Lo, Mississippi, Winston Charlie (Vanetta) Burden and Harold (Victoria) Burden, both of New Orleans, Louisiana, Marilyn (Russell) Golden of Louisville, Kentucky, and Margie (John) Genous of Jackson, Mississippi; a beloved sister-in-law, Vernie Ruth Burton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Freddie Jean, Sr. (1985); his mother, Allie (1999); brother, Freddie Jean (1962); his daughter, Regina Lavon (1966); and his sisters, Betty Jean (2006) and Vera Mae (2010).