William Elbert Burdick

William Elbert (“Bill”) Burdick, died April 30, 2023, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a prolonged illness, surrounded by loving family members.

Born November 18, 1937, Bill grew up in Western Pennsylvania. He attended Grove City College, the University of Virginia, and Florida State University, graduating with a degree in economics.  He also attended Boston Theological Seminary at Boston University, where he met his wife of 60 years, Sue Moore Burdick. After ordination, Bill served seven United Methodist churches in the Western Pennsylvania and Western New York Conferences. His ministries focused on racial justice (accompanying Dr. Martin Luther King on the march from Selma to Montgomery), marginalized populations, and innovative programming, including “Clowns for Christ.” He relished annual Fat Tuesday services with lively jazz celebrations.

He was a member of the Akron Volunteer Fire Company, the Greece Volunteer Ambulance Corp, and the New York State Fire Chaplains’ Association. In retirement, Bill volunteered with the American Red Cross, delivering resources to victims of natural disasters (including Hurricane Katrina). For many years, Bill and Sue were active members of the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ in Coral Gables, Florida.  

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Louise, and Elbert (“Ed”) Burdick, his sister Ruth Burdick Patten, brother-in-law George (“Blair”) Patten, his sisters-in-law, Jeanne Moore Lindahl and Marjorie Moore Forehand, and wife, Sue.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Natasha (Ted) Carstens, his son, Joseph (Laura) Burdick, his four loving grandchildren: Rachel (Ross) Phillips, Edward Carstens, Jakob Burdick and Andrew Burdick, his brothers-in-law Ken (Linda) Moore and Keith Forehand, many nieces and nephews, and his loving friend Carol Snodgrass. 

A memorial service is scheduled for 2pm Sunday, June 18 at Asbury First UMC (Rochester, NY) where Bill had served as an Associate Pastor.  A memorial service at the Coral Gables UCC will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of choice.  “May the Lord watch over us, while we are apart from one another.” Genesis 31:49.

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