William Burks

William (Bill) J. Burks, 76, of Midland died on Thursday, March 14, 2013, in a local hospital. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Grace Lutheran Church, with Pastor Robert Pase, officiating.The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 16, 2013, beginning at 10:00 AM, at the funeral home.Bill was born on December 11, 1936, in Linden, Texas to Jesse Lee and Frances Marie Moudy Burks. He played high school football and basketball, graduating from Marlin High School in 1955. He was baptized in 1945 at the First Baptist Church in Marlin. He attended Texas A & M University and Tarleton University. He married Sharon Burks on June 4, 1977, in Sherman, Texas. Bill worked at Texas Instruments for 36 years, beginning in Dallas, then Sherman, before ending his career at the Midland location in 1994, as a Facilities and Manufacturing Manager. He loved playing golf, fishing, and deer and bird hunting. Bill thought it was important for the boys to maintain their own vehicles, and enjoyed teaching the three oldest grandchildren to drive a standard shift in his old green pickup, whom he named Old Green. His best friend was Roger Barker. The two loved telling old stories together.Paw Paw Willie loved the kids and grandkids and the time they spent together. The boys would say he really mellowed with the grandkids.Survivors include his wife, Sharon Burks of Midland; three sons, Robert Crawford and wife Donita, of Mena, Arkansas, Todd Crawford and wife Sonya of Gonzales, Texas, and Ty Burks of Dallas; one grandson, Maxx Crawford and wife Madeline of Tulsa, Oklahoma; three granddaughters, Courtney Crawford of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Bella Crawford and Scarlett Crawford both of Gonzales, Texas; his sister, Mary Nan Rogers and husband Micky of Collinsville, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Alice Barker and husband Roger of Mabank, Texas and Joyce Burks of Marlin, Texas; and many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gerry Lee Burks.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,