OBITUARY Roy Wayne Burkett of St. Clair, MO departed this life in St. Clair on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, having reached the age of eighty-nine years, seven months and thirty days. Roy was born in St. Louis, MO on August 16, 1935, son of William Anderson Burkett and Virginia May Burkett nee Rodgers. As a young man he was united in marriage to Betty Davis and blessed to have five children. After her passing he was united in marriage to Wilma June Gamble and he treated her children as his own. Roy is survived by his wife, Wilma Burkett of St. Clair, MO; by three children, Vickie LeBlanc and husband, Terry, of Sullivan, MO, David Burkett and wife, Susan, of Joplin, MO and Dr. Ken Burkett and wife, Chalayne, of Greenville, MS; by his step-children, David Anderson and wife, Carolyn, of St. Clair, MO, Mark Anderson and wife, Christina, of St. Clair, MO, Adam Anderson and wife, Irena, of TX and Bonnie King and husband, Kirk, of Albania; by two brothers, Bill Burkett and wife, Betty, of Springfield, MO and Dennis Burkett and wife, Lisa, of SC; by two sisters, Carol Griffin of KY and Charlene Saylor and husband, Roland, of FL; by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, William and Virginia Burkett; by his first wife, Betty Burkett; by two sons, Larry Burkett and Daniel Burkett; by two brothers, Richard Burkett and Harvey Burkett; and by two sisters, Connie Ferrell and Wanda Lovelady. Roy was a Christian and had pastored Dittmer Bible Church in Dittmer, MO from June 1969 to December 2016. Recently he had been attending Liberty Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO. He was proud to have served his country in the United States Marine Corps, entering on June 28, 1954 and receiving his honorable discharge on June 27, 1956. During his working career he was employed by McDonnell Douglas Corporation as an inspector, retiring after thirty-five years of service. His passion was preaching God's word and reading his Bible. In his younger years while the children were growing up he enjoyed going camping and swimming. What meant most to him was time spent with family. The love they shared and many precious memories they created will be cherished by them all forever. A kind and loving husband, father, father-in-law, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great and great-great-uncle, cousin and treasured friend, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO with Pastor Clarence Jackson officiating. Interment with full military honors will be in Crestview Memorial Park in St. Clair, MO.