George "Bill" Burgoon, 83

George “Bill” William Burgoon, 83, of Gilbertsville, PA, went home to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ, December 15, 2021.

Born August 11, 1938, to George R. and Sara Burgoon (both deceased) in Altoona, PA. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1956 and entered the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter. He served from 1956 – 1977 and retired as Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9). Served on U.S.S. Hale DD-642; U.S.S. Randolph CV-15; Damneck, VA Naval Station; U.S.S. Koelsch DE-1049; Newport, RI Naval Station; and lastly as Master Chief Petty Officer of Command on the U.S.S. Virginia CGN-38. He received the following medals and awards: Good Conduct (5), Navy Achievement, Navy Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

After retirement from the Navy in July of 1977, he moved to Lancaster from Newport News, VA to attend Lancaster Bible College and he graduated in 1981. He was employed at International Signal & Control and Ferranti International from 1981 to 1989 as Logistics Manager and the Bionetics Corporation from 1989 to 2001 as Operations Manager and Logistics Consultant.

During his 35 years in Lancaster, he served in various churches in Lancaster County. Upon retirement from the Bionetics Corporation in 2001 he joined the staff at NewSong Fellowship Church as Director of Strategic Development and Special Assistant to the Pastor where he was also a founding elder since 1998. He also served as Director of Finance, Small Group Leader, SOD Teacher, Remodeling Coordinator, Men’s Mentor, and volunteer teacher and preacher at Lancaster County Prison. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church when His Lord called him home.

He was Vice President of Road Warrior Ministries Inc. a non-profit organization with a vision to reach occupational drivers with the traditional basic truths of the Bible and help them to grow in their faith.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, one daughter Cheryl and husband Patrick Gaynor, two sons, Glenn C. and Brian R. and wife Robin Burgoon all of Lancaster. Two sisters, Joan McMillan of Stephentown, NY and Wanda Howard of Rumford, ME; one brother David of Rumford, ME. He has 10 grandchildren Amber Akin, Lauren Procopio, William Burgoon, Jonathan Burgoon, Ariana Burgoon, Colin Burgoon, Ethan Burgoon, Alicia Burgoon, Bella Burgoon and Hugo Burgoon. Bill has 3 great grandchildren Kylee Akin, Declan Akin and Luca Procopio.

There will be a home-going celebration at Grace Baptist Church, 447 County Line Rd., Gilbertsville, PA 19525, conducted by Pastor Adam Breiner on Tuesday December 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 10:00-10:45 AM at the church. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please designate any memorial gifts to Grace Baptist Church to reach out to local community at 447 County Line Road, Gilbertsville, PA 19525.

Add My Condolences

Carol and rest of the burgoon family,
It saddens my fleshly mind to hear of brother bills passing. But my spiritual soul rejoices in the fact that now he is with his heavenly father. He is free of pain in all ways possiable and I'm sure even ways we as humans are unable to understand. Well Chief petty officer burgoon your king has calmed you to command the highest and most powerful navy ....God's spiritual naval fleet .... rip sir

~ Robert Pfeiffer and family Magnilia, DE
12/28/2021 4:55:14 PM

Dear Carol,
We are saddened to hear about your loss, and to all those Bill has kept in touch through encouragement in the Word. He was a great teacher, mentor, and it has been an honor to know him, not only as person, but also for his knowledge of the Bible. We are all able to rejoice in knowing that He is where he always looked and hoped to be. We thank God that Christ has shared Bill with us for a short time, knowing we will be reunited with him again.
In Christ's love,
Jim and Sue Huxoll

~ Jim and Sue Huxoll Elverson, PA
12/28/2021 8:19:43 AM

Dear Carol,
It saddened to hear from Mission Church announcement last week that Bill had gone home to be with the Lord, we have been attending online since the pandemic. All of us especially the young guys at then Newsong Fellowship Church especially me truly appreciate Bill’s mentorship. For me personally, Bill took the time to encourage me to come to morning Saturday discipleship classes and eventually become small group leader and later served on the elder board. We were amazed at your love and Bill example to us younger couples. We found encouragements in seeing how you two served with everything you had. I appreciate Bill direct approach as I welcomed his direction. As we transitioned to our first missionary tour, I remember great mentoring conversations with Bill and his stacks of PowerPoints with bible and leadership training. I have incorporated his teachings into my leadership multiplication among the Vietnamese churches namely, WISDOM WALK. I am saddened that I am not able to be there to say, we love you Carol and yet rejoicing in the fact that Bill had finished the race. Thank you, Bill. Yet in Bill’s way, he always deflected the honor to say, Keep looking up. It was an honor to have been encouraged and mentored to become the servant leader following Bill’s example. Ordinary people serving an extra ordinary God.
Please offer condolences on our behalf to everyone in the extended family. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time of mourning.
Take care and God bless.

~ Young and Rebekah Le
12/26/2021 9:09:36 PM

Carol,
We were very sad hearing our buddy Bill has gone without Rick getting to talk to him about the Steelers. But we are happy that he is in his Heavenly home. We are very sorry for your loss and pray you find comfort in your many years of memories. We wish we could make the service but we have a funeral service for Beth's mother the same day. She passed the same day as Bill.
Much love and God Bless,
Rick and Beth Kendrick

~ Rick Kendrick Lancaster, PA
12/19/2021 6:56:23 PM

What a joy and pleasure to get to know both Bill and his wife. His ministry at Grace will be sorely missed.

~ Rosalie Clouser
12/18/2021 8:58:00 PM

What an amazing life! Praise the Lord for this great man of God who blessed so many! I know how much he blessed me. Looking forward to seeing him again someday soon! God bless and comfort you Carol.

~ Sharon and Joe McNeill Gilbertsville, PA
12/17/2021 9:45:05 PM

What a great obituary on a great man. Love the picture, it’s exactly how I remember him. So sorry for your loss. So glad that you will be reunited one day. Love and hugs.

~ Karen (Fisher) Long Hollidaysburg, PA
12/17/2021 7:50:16 PM

We rejoice in Bill’s home coming to our Lord but extend our deepest sympathy at this time to Carol and the family. May our great God and Savior bring comfort and peace to you.

~ Bill & Joyce Russell
12/17/2021 12:02:44 PM