It is with great sadness that the Burden family of Roanoke announces the passing from this life of their beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Mr. William Kenneth Burden fondly known as "Kenny" Burden, 66 a resident of Roanoke.  Mr. Burden transitioned from this life on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange.

The Inspiring Life and Legacy of William Kenneth Burden

William Kenneth Burden, 66, a longtime resident of Roanoke, took the Lord's hand and was ushered to his final journey home on February 9, 2023.  All who knew and loved him, fondly called him by his nickname “Kenny.”  Kenny was welcomed into the world on July 23, 1956, by his parents, the late Johnny B. Burden and Mary Nell McPherson, in Franklin, Heard County, Georgia.

Reared in Heard County, he spent his formative years there.  When he was ten years old, Kenny accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined New Hope Baptist Church in Franklin. He graduated from Heard County High School, with the class of 1974.

On January 25, 1986, Kenny married the love of his life, Miss Brunette Swint in her native town of Wadley, Alabama.  They enjoyed one another’s company and made precious memories during their thirty-seven years of marital bliss.

Kenny was a man of many skills and talents; the Milliken Textile Company employed him as a maintenance engineer, where he held this position for nearly thirty years.  His passion for the art of barbeque earned him the title  "The Best BBQ Griller" by friends and family; his bbq was incomparable to others. In addition, William was the family's mechanic — he could repair anything with wheels and a motor.  Kenny loved the outdoors.  He often spent countless hours outside tending to his garden, and his landscaping was ALWAYS “high and tight”.  Aside from being a loving husband, father and family man, he also was a good citizen.   In 1991, Kenny became a hometown hero and was honored by the city of LaGrange, for rescuing a three-year-old girl from a house fire.  “Kenny Burden” was indeed a renaissance man.

Kenny was preceded in death by his two daughters: Kenneka Houston and Kimberly Knight; in addition to a host of siblings: Fannie P. Burden, Roosevelt Burden, James Burden, Johnnie R. Bell, Luedean Daniel, and Phillip Burden, who welcomed him into his heavenly rest.

Kenneth’s passionate personality and love will be cherished by his devoted wife of thirty-seven years, Mrs. Brunette Swint Burden of Roanoke, AL; only son, Kenneth Houston of Roanoke; daughters: Kenya Burden-Almond (Aaron) of Chester, VA, Tangela Ballard (Eric) and Dionetta Sykes (Donald) both of Atlanta, GA, and LaShonda Houston of Roanoke; brother: Kerry Burden (Patricia) of Roanoke; sisters: Sylvia "Faye" Harris (Gary) also of Roanoke, Gwendolyn Phillips (Johnny), Irene Leak (David) and Mary Jean Truitt (Jafus) all of LaGrange; finally but certainly not least, there will always be a special place reserved for Kenneth in the hearts of his eleven grandchildren, best friends, Ricky Baggin, and Reverend Joe C. Cofield; his many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends.

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