William T. Burch, 93, died Friday, July 21, 2017, at his residence on South McColl in Edinburg.
Born in Fletcher, Oklahoma to William and Nora, he moved to Edinburg from California after World War II. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a veteran of the United States Navy, seeing action in the Pacific. After serving four years, he was honorably discharged from the U.S.S. Stephen Potter, because of his father’s death in 1946. He was a fire control man, chief petty officer. Bill, (as he was called), came back to Edinburg and met a fiery red haired girl, named Marjorie, [Mom]. Soon afterwards they were married and had sixty nine wonderful years together. Bill started working as an electrician for McClelland Electric, for three years. John McClelland became his best friend, and introduced him to hunting. He enjoyed hunting and fishing for many years, until his death. Mr. Burch was a self- educated man, attending high school till the tenth grade, and had a keen sense for building his own business.
Bill started Burch Construction, and built numerous homes in the Edinburg area. His business continued to grow, and he developed many residential subdivisions. He also obtained many residential rental properties in Edinburg and the McAllen areas. He had a great vision of growth for the Valley area. His business model was: to always treat customers with honesty, integrity and respect.
He was preceded in death by his son, Alan Burch, brother Kenneth Burch, and sister Jean De Shaye. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Burch of Edinburg, a brother, Jerry (Nannette) Burch of Conway, Arkansas; two sons, Gary (Debra) Burch of Edinburg, William Burch of McAllen; two daughters, Cynthia (Gilbert) Ellis of Edinburg, Karen Burch (Willis Ashby) of Denver, Colorado; seven grandchildren: Sean and Ashley Burch, Ansel, Alden and Alison Ashby, Eric (Jalah) Goette, Heather Bourek; and three great grandchildren: Jolie and Henry Bourek, and Luke Goette.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg, officiated by Father Gregory Labus and Monsignor Louis Brum. Private interment with military honors will take place, by immediate family only, at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund at 114 W. Fay, Edinburg, TX 78539 or Holy Spirit Catholic Church Building Fund, 2201 Martin Ave., McAllen, TX 78504, or a charity of your choice.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William T. Burch, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.