ENGLEWOOD, Fla. – William “Bill” Alexander Burke, 91, passed away peacefully on Dec. 20, 2024, in Englewood, Fla.

Bill was born on Aug. 31, 1933, in Waterville to Rose (Lubier) and William Burke.

Bill attended Winslow High School, and after graduating, served in the Navy during the Korean War. While in high school, Bill met Irene Perry of Waterville, and they married in 1954.

Following an honorable discharge, Bill attended the University of Maine at Orono, making his mark as a star pitcher on the baseball team. Red Sox baseball was a lifelong passion for Bill, along with all Boston sports teams. Bill and Irene had three daughters while living in Orono.

The family lived in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Marblehead, Mass., eventually settling in Byfield, Mass. in 1965, where their son was born. Bill worked for Banker’s Life Insurance Company in Boston, Mass. and later for Sun Life. The family spent summers in New Hampshire on Merrymeeting Lake, then on Lake Winnipesaukee. Bill was actively involved in tennis in Newburyport, Mass. and Wolfeboro, N.H.

In the mid 1980s, Bill and Irene moved to Rye, N.H. Bill and Irene owned a travel agency in Wolfeboro, N.H. in the mid 1980s and early 1990s. They were thrilled to provide group tours and to travel all over the world.

In 1994, Bill and Irene moved to Englewood, Fla., to live during the winter, and returned every summer to Lake Winnipesaukee. They loved getting together with family and friends at the lake and continued to play tennis daily.

Bill was predeceased by his parents; his brother, five sisters and their spouses.

Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Irene; and children, Nancy (John), Janet, Donna (Gerry), and Michael (Denise); grandchildren, Heidi (Matt), Kelly, Eric (Mary Ann), Julianne (Jim), Kaylie (Michael), Caitlin (Byron), Aidan (Taylor), Kristin (Andrew) and Kelly; and great-grandchildren, Alice, Adeline, Andrew, Owen, Emily, Mitchell, Jeffrey, Rory, and Tatum; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the VA cemetery in Augusta, in the Spring/Summer of 2025.