Obituaries

William Russell Burgett, age 74, of Moran, Michigan, died on January 9, 2026, at home. He was
born on November 13, 1951, in Decatur, Illinois, to Vadice and Muriel (Keast) Burgett.

William grew up in Clio, Michigan. He earned his General Education Diploma and proudly
served his country in the United States Army, enlisting in 1969 and serving for two years.

Following an injury sustained during his service, William returned home and was later deemed
100 percent disabled.

William met Mary C. Perez through a mutual friend, and the couple were married on June 22,
2005, in Saginaw, Michigan. Together they shared twenty wonderful years of marriage.

He was a proud member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

William enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also loved reading, particularly
western novels and books by Louis L’Amour, William W. Johnstone, and Tabor Evans.

William is survived by his wife of twenty years, Mary Burgett; children, Angela (Denny)
Hildinger of Pinconning, Michigan, Phyllis (Leon) Ross of West Virginia, Steven (Beth) Perez
of Goodrich, Michigan, and Christine Perez of Lapeer, Michigan; grandchildren, Skylynn,
Gabriel, Autumn, Michael, Daisy, Maggie, Jeffrey, Noah, Nadia, Jeremiah, Alex, Dominic,
Brandon, Justin, and Angel; great-grandchild, Autumn Grace; brother, Vadice Burgett, sisters,
Lillian (Ray) Knox of Tennessee, Christina Burgett of Rose City, Michigan and many nieces and
nephews.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Vadice and Muriel; son, William R. Gray; and
sister, Muriel Tompkins.

Per William’s wishes no services will be held.
William’s final resting place will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

Memorial contributions in William’s honor may be made to a local Alcoholics Anonymous
group, 1529 Marquette Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, and Wounded Warriors Project, 230 W
Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60606.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Pickford assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may
be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.