William Merritt
Burke, Jr., 93
CAMDEN, DE - William Merritt Burke, Jr. peacefully passed away on October 26, 2023.
He was born June 10, 1930, in Dover, Delaware, to the late William Merritt Sr. and Carolyn Emily (McKee) Burke. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Nancy Lou Webb (Lawrence).
Merritt grew up in Camden and graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in 1948. On November 25, 1950, he married the love of his life, Ann Cameron, of the Dover area. Merritt and Ann raised their five children in Woodside, Delaware. Merritt's father, William Merritt Sr., started Burke Equipment Company in 1911. In 1949, Merritt took ownership of the company until 1999.
Merritt is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ann Burke; his five children, Richard Glen Burke (Janet) of Camden, William Merritt Burke III (Dona) of Camden, Patricia Ann Western (Michael) of New Castle, Walter Cameron Burke (Donna) of Lincoln University, PA, and Carol Lee Bridges (Stephen) of Newark; five grandchildren, Kelly Ann Henderson (Tyler) of Savannah, GA, Cameron William Burke (Madeline) of Atlanta, GA, Kathryn Marie Wesner (Paul), of Pennsburg, PA, Melanie Ann Burke of New Castle, and Caroline Elizabeth Ann Western-Osienski (Adam) of Wilmington; and ten great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be 1:00 pm Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, DE, where friends may gather beginning at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Camden-Wyoming Fire Co., 200 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Camden, DE 19934 or AccentCare Hospice.
For full obituary and online condolences visit www.pippinfuneralhome.com