Mr. Billy J. Burke, age 79, of Hope, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope. He was born October 10, 1933, in Hope to Bill and Nola Robinson Burke. Mr. Burke was retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant and was also a former multi craft mechanic for Nakoosa Paper Mill in Ashdown. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Hope, a 32nd Degree Mason at the Papillion Lodge #39 in Papillion, Nebraska, and a member of VFW, Hope Post. Mr. Burke is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Carl Wayne, Frank and Jim Burke and a sister, Mattie Hart. Mr. Burke is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Kay Burke, three daughters, Tish Rhodes and husband Mark of Nashville, Arkansas, Tami Blair and husband Kirk of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Tara Flowers and husband John May of Texarkana, Arkansas, one sister, Alice Garrett and husband Charles of Texarkana, Arkansas, eleven grandchildren, Codi Holt and husband Edd, Andrea Woodrufff and husband Kris, Julia Pope, Caroline May, Tyler Pope and wife Samantha, Darren Blair, Billy Blair, Michael Blair, Zane Rhodes, Burke Flowers and Braden May, three great-grandchildren, Killis Reid Woodruff, Gracelyn Woodruff, and Ryder Pope, a sister-in-law, Patty Burke of Hope, numerous other family members and a host of friends. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday, April 26, at Brazzel/Oakcrest in Hope. Funeral service for Mr. Burke will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 27, at the Brazzel/Oakcrest Chapel with Dr. Hal Dixon officiating. Burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope. Arrangements by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online Guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com