Paul Richard Burdette of White Sulphur Springs, WV, passed away on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
He was born Nov. 10, 1941, in White Sulphur Springs, the son of Paul Wyatt Burdette and Georgia Mae Huffman Burdette.
Richard was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a Branch President, Bishop, High Councilman and was an active High Priest. He also held various other church callings throughout his life.
He attended Brigham Young University. He then was employed by Sam Snead as an assistant to (golf) pro Jim Redmond. He worked at the Boca Hotel & Club, but primarily at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Boca Raton, FL.
Richard served in the US Army Reserve. After basic training at Fort Knox, KY, he returned to West Virginia where he managed the Ben Franklin Store in Lewisburg, WV. Later he was approached to come to work for Leggett Department Store in Lewisburg, where he was the Men’s Department manager, later Floor manager, and finally the Assistant Store manager. Leaving Leggett’s he opened his own men’s shop “4 Seasons” in White Sulphur Springs, WV.
Richard was an active leader in the Merchant’s Association, on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce and worked with the Boy Scouts of America. Leaving the retail business, he went into construction-working for Daniel Construction, J.A. Jones, Virginia Power, Metric Construction, Gilbert of Delaware, and retired from Thor Construction of Roanoke, VA.
While Richard was an avid sportsman, enjoying most sports, basketball and golf were his favorites.
But his family was his life! The love of his life was his dear Shirley and his eight children: Richard Shane Burdette (Linda) of Temecula, CA, and their children, Rachel DelReal (Mariano), Ben and Rylie Burdette; Paul Shannon Burdette (Sherry) of White Sulphur Springs, and their children, Nathan and Tyler (Cryslyn) Burdette; Christie Lynn Burdette Mortensen of Morgan Hill, CA, and her children Justin, Mariah, Jacob, Jared and Joshua Mortensen; Darren Wayne Burdette (Janalee) of Salem, Utah, and their children, Carly Cook (Hunter), Darren “Chance” Burdette (Beth); Janika Naumann (Landon), and Graden Burdette; David Lane Burdette (Melanie) of Heber City, Utah and their children, Ashley Mahoney (Carson), Kelsey Park (Hunter), Zachary (Leah) and Lindsey Burdette; Eric Landon Burdette (Melissa) of Ronceverte, and their children, Landon and Atlee ;Jason LaRue Burdette (Amy) of Maxwelton, WV, and children, Adalynn Burdette, Brentlee Burdette, Grant Burdette, Olivia Burdette; Kelly Janene Burdette James (Jeff) Heber City, Utah, and their children, Ryan James (Lexie), Kathryn and Connor James. In addition to his parents and grandparents, Richard was preceded in death by his dear wife, Shirley and his brother, James Adrian Burdette. He is survived by his 8 children, 27 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren (+ three more on the way), his brother, Jerrell Wyatt Burdette of White Sulphur Springs, his sister, Brenda Kay Burdette Walthall of Roanoke, VA, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Richard married his eternal wife in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple on July 7, 1964, and was forever grateful for their almost 60 years of marriage. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Route 92 in White Sulphur Springs on Friday, Nov. 28, with Bishop Mickey VanNatter officiating. Burial will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park in Low Moor, VA. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the funeral from 10 to 11 a.m.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in White Sulphur Springs is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
