John William Burton, 89, of Wauchula, died on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at home. He was born in Arcadia, Florida on February 19, 1926 to L. Grady Burton and Bess Wood Burton. He was a lifelong resident of Wauchula.

John attended the University of Florida where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity. His schooling was interrupted by World War II in which he served as an aerial gunner on a B-29 in the Pacific Theater. He received a bachelor of law degree from Stetson University, DeLand. While at Stetson, he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity and president of the law school student body.

Receiving his law degree in 1950, he went into practice with his father. Upon John's retirement in 2004, he was a partner with his son in the law firm of Burton and Burton, P.A.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wauchula, and a Sunday school teacher of classes from the early teens to the Methodist Men. He joined leaders from other churches in teaching the International Sunday School lesson over radio station WAUC.

During his career, John was the City of Wauchula Municipal Judge, attorney for the following: City of Wauchula, City of Bowling Green, Hardee Memorial Hospital, Hardee County School Board; attorney and director of Wauchula State Bank, member of the Tenth Circuit Court Grievance Committee; president, Hardee County Bar Association; chairman, Hardee County Democratic Committee.

He was past chaplain and commander of the Herger Williams Post No. 2, American Legion; past president and lieutenant governor of Wauchula Kiwanis Club; past exalted ruler of BPOE Lodge #1700, Wauchula. John was honored to be the recipient of the 2003 Hardee County Schools' Hall of Fame Award.

He was preceded in death by his parents, L. Grady and Bess Wood Burton; brother, L. Grady Burton, Jr.; and sister-in-law Edith Savage Burton, Mt. Lakes, NJ.

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean Bostick Burton; daughters, Kathleen S. Burton of Cornelius, NC, and Barbara B. Crowson of Richlands, NC; son, John W. H. Burton of Wauchula; grandchildren, Elizabeth B. Crowson of Wilmington, NC, Grace Crowson Johnston (Chris) of Hillsborough, NC, James B. Crowson (Katherine) of Fremont, CA, Stephen W. H. Burton of Wauchula, and Rachel E. Burton of Wauchula.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church, Wauchula, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Danielle Upton is officiating. Interment will follow at Wauchula Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post No. 2.

Memorials may be made to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, 51 Children's Way, Enterprise, FL 32725 or to Good Shepherd Hospice, 12470 Telecom Dr., Suite 300, West Temple Terrace, FL 33637.