Billy F. Burke

Billy F. Burke, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on the evening of October 18, 2025, in Bakersfield, California, at the remarkable age of 100.

Born in 1924, in Perry, Oklahoma, Billy proudly served his country in the United States Navy from December 1942 to December 1946. He began his naval journey through the V-12 Officer Training at Oklahoma A&M, continuing his education at the University of Oklahoma, Cal Tech, and the Midshipman School at the University of Notre Dame. As an Aerologist with the VPW-1 Weather Patrol Squadron, he flew aboard a PB4Y-2M Privateer Aircraft, stationed overseas at the former Naval Air Station at Agana, Guam, and other Pacific locations including Peking, China, Kwajalein, and Peleliu. A testament to his dedication, he participated in weather testing during the Bikini Nuclear Tests after World War II.

On Easter Sunday, 1952, Billy married the love of his life, Rosemary. The couple raised two children together. Over the course of 24 years, Billy dedicated his career to petroleum engineering. He began at Carter Oil, transitioning with the company as it became Humble Oil and later ExxonMobil. In 1969, a move to Huntington Beach, California, brought him to their Signal Hill, Long Beach office. Seeking new adventures, Billy retired early from Exxon in 1976 to join Occidental Oil in Bakersfield. He enjoyed another retirement in 1985. Notably, he served as president of the California Society of Petroleum Engineers for one year, a role he held with pride.

Throughout his life, Billy embraced an active and engaged lifestyle. He found joy in following OU Football, playing tennis, generously volunteering his time at CSUB tending to the rose garden, and meticulously timing collegiate swim meets. His weekly Friday lunches with friends at the country club and Sunday church services at St. John's were cherished traditions he rarely missed. Billy's life was enriched by numerous wonderful friendships and the companionship of many Miniature Schnauzers throughout the years.

The years 2024 and 2025 brought much to celebrate for Billy. In November 2024, he was proudly surrounded by his family to mark his 100th birthday. In April 2025, he took a memorable journey to Washington, D.C., as part of Kern County Honor Flight 51. Recently, Billy became a local celebrity and was featured on the Bakersfield news several times.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mabel Burke; his brother, Warren; his beloved wife, Rosemary; and his adored daughter, Brenda. He leaves behind his son, Bill (Ida) Burke; his son-in-law, George Pease; and his granddaughters, Erin (Jason) Jacob and Kelli (Blair) Browning. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Brayden, Brooklynn, Carter, and Eric, whose lives will carry on his enduring legacy.

He will be remembered as a selfless, honorable man who deeply loved God, his family, and his country.

A service and reception to celebrate Billy's life will take place on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2025, at 10 AM at Greenlawn Cemetery Southwest in Bakersfield, California.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Billy's name to Kern County Honor Flight.

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