Billy R. Burdine

Billy Ray Burdine, age 90, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018, at his home in Surfside Beach, Texas where he was a Deacon and Elder of The Anchor Church.   Billy was born to Alfred Eloy Burdine and Mary Edna Braswell Burdine in Quail, Texas on July 23, 1927.   After graduating from high school, Billy entered the Air Force where he developed and honed his ability to work with radar systems.   He then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Texas before starting his 30-year career with Texas Instruments.

His radar experience from the Air Force and his education made Billy a perfect candidate to work with NASA’s Ranger Program.  His team was the first to send an unmanned spaceship to photograph the moon’s surface and for his efforts received a Presidential citation from John F. Kennedy.  Billy married Peggy Burdine and lived in Dallas, TX where they had four beautiful children.

Billy is survived by his four loving children and their spouses, – Paul Burdine and wife Lisa, Margo Alzuwaid and her husband Kahlil, David Burdine and wife Cindy, and Melinda Burdine Corbett and husband Brian, along with his 15 grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother Emery and wife Jeanne; nieces, and one nephew.

Billy Ray Burdine will be laid to rest at a family service on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, TX.  A memorial will follow in Surfside Beach, Texas sometime this spring.  Billy loved his beach home and all the wonderful friends that grew to know and love him and helped make Surfside his home for the last 30 years.  In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations to be made to the Billy Ray Burdine memorial foundation which will be used to enrich the Surfside community he so loved.

Please send checks payable to the:

Billy Ray Burdine Foundation:

c/o Melinda Burdine Corbett

845 Loridans Drive NE

Atlanta, GA  30342

Online condolences may be shared at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com