Wilburn E. Burks

Wilburn E. Burks passed away on June 5, 2020. The family will host a time of fellowship and remembrance from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. We will celebrate his life of 93 years at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at the Church of Christ, Ropesville. To sign the virtual guestbook, and share memories and expressions of sympathy, visit www.memorialdesigners.net.Wilburn E. Burks was born on October 16, 1926, to R. W. and Lena Burks in Johnsville, TX. He attended school in Paducah, Tx.  Wilburn served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from January 14, 1945, to April 22, 1946, during WW2.  He was stationed at Camp Shelby in Biloxi, MS.  He married the love of his life, Viola Sexton, on November 4, 1944, in Paducah, Texas.  In 1953, they moved to Ropesville, Texas, and raised two children, David and Barbara.Wilburn started working at Smith Auto Service in Ropes in 1954.  He became the operator and manager in 1962. Smith Auto Service closed down for good on September 1, 1995, and Wilburn retired.  Retirement did not last long, however, and he went to work for Beaver’s Crossing BBQ in Ropes for a couple of years. In 2000, Wilburn was elected constable of Hockley County.  Upon winning the election, he was required to get his peace officer certification within 270 days. So, at the age of 74, he attended SPC Levelland’s police academy program. A newspaper article featured Wilburn for being the oldest student in the state of Texas to attend and receive his peace officer’s certification. His instructors boasted of his ability to outperform his younger classmates during the physical training portion of the police academy. He served four terms as constable, retiring again on December 31, 2016, at the age of 90.  He was a longtime member of Ropesville Church of Christ, where he proudly served as an elder for many years.  He loved his family, hunting, and cooking on the grill.  Wilburn was and will always be very much loved by all.   Survivors include his son, David Earl (Trudy) Burks of Wilson; daughter, Barbara Jean Rich of Spur; six grandchildren, Ronald (Lori) Burks of Lubbock, Billy Burks of St. Mary’s, GA, Lisa (Michael) Tatum of Springtown, Shelley (Tim) Cooper of Melissa, Wendy (Brad) Blasingame of Rowlett, and Charles (Elizabeth) Brown of Lubbock; eighteen great-grandchildren, Tanner Burks, Jacob Burks, Debi Burks, Wyatt Burks, Macye Burks, Micah Burks, Layton Kerr, Landon Kerr, Ashton Cooper, Brock Cooper, Timmy Cooper, Toby Cooper, Brayden Blasingame, Garrett Blasingame, Ashley Tatum, William Tatum, Kyler Brown, and Charles “Bubba” Brown.He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Viola Burks; and ten siblings.