Milton - The Rev. W. D. Burdick, 84, retired Seventh Day Baptist minister, died Monday at his home in the village. He had been in failing health for some time.
Willard De Lure Burdick was born in Utica, Aug. 28, 1863, the eldest son of Russell Dighton Burdick and Luransa Champlin Burdick. In 1865, his father and mother with their young son drove to Minnesota to make their home.
Pioneer life in this section of the west helped build a sturdy character. The prairie fires, blizzards, lack of conveniences, hard work in the fields, were stern teachers.
Opportunities for a college education for Willard, his brother and sister brought the family back to Wisconsin where he attended Milton college and received his degree of bachelor of arts in 1890. He decided to enter the ministry, and took his training in the Baptist Seminary at Morgan Park, Ill., and the theological department of the University of Chicago, where he graduated with the degree of bachelor of divinity in 1893. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in Milton, May 21, 1893. An honorary degree, doctor of divinity, was conferred upon Mr. Burdick in 1918 by Salem college, Salem, W. Va.
Willard Burdick was married April 18, 1892 in Milton Junction to Isaphena Genette West. To them were born three children, all of whom and the wife are living in Milton. His sister, Mrs. G. E. Crosley, also lives in Milton, but the brother, Dr. A. L. Burdick, died a few years ago.
The Rev. Mr. Burdick served pastorates in several Seventh Day Baptist churches, his first, Jackson Center, O., then Nile, N. Y., and Farina, Ill. Then for several years he traveled as a representative of the S. D. B. Missionary society and the American Sabbath Tract society. During these years from 1914 to 1918, he made his home in Milton. Then he moved to New Market, N. J., where he served as pastor of the Piscataway S. D. B. church and continued work for the tract society. Later he moved to Plainfield, N. J., and assumed the responsibility of the general secretary of the S. D. B. denomination with full time activities. This work he followed for five years.
Travel that kept him from home for weeks at a time, caused him to give up this strenuous work and go back to a pastorate. He and his wife moved to Rhode Island, where they worked eight years serving three churches. While living in Rhode Island, Mr. Burdick served over five years as president of the S. D. B. Missionary society with headquarters in Westerly, R. I. During this time he was president of the S. D. B. general conference, 1930-31.
In 1938, Mr. Burdick retired from the ministry, and he and his wife moved to Milton, where they have made their home for the past 10 years. In these years he has been active, helping in church work and caring for a large garden. He has derived much comfort from these interests and the nearness of his two sons with their families. The oldest son, Prof. W. D. Burdick; grandson, William L.; great-grandson, William Alan, gave four generations to his family. Russell W., the second son, with his family, lives nearby. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick have made their home with the daughter, Miss Marjorie J. Burdick, on High Street, Milton.
Friends may call at the Phelps funeral home Wednesday evening. The funeral service will be held at the Milton S. D. B. church at 2:30 p. m. Thursday.
