William D. “Billy” Burkeen Jr., beloved father, devoted outdoorsman, and lifelong friend to many, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Friday, May 16, 2025. He was born on August 29, 1970, in Santa Ana, California, to his cherished mother, Christina Harper DeFaria, and late father, William Darrel Burkeen, Sr.
Billy was of the Methodist faith. He was a man of great character and spirit, known for his whit and love for life. A longtime member of Teamsters Local 236 and a dedicated 20-year employee of UPS. Billy was also a skilled real estate appraiser in Western Kentucky, at Burkeen Appraisals for the past two decades, alongside Melanie Burkeen Petter.
Billy had a passion for the outdoors; he loved hunting and camping but mostly he loved the comradery that came with it. He especially found joy in the time spent mentoring young hunters, and was most proud to see his kids harvest a deer or turkey. Billy cherished the brotherhood found around hunting camps, on golf outings, and in the everyday bonds he built with friends and family. He had a love for playing the guitar, a heart full of music, and a voice like an angel; surely heaven is filled with his song today.
Billy was an adventurous old soul who loved to live life to the fullest and lived each day with passion that life wasn’t to be wasted, rather enjoyed. This he did.
He is survived by his pride and joy, twin children Harper Burkeen (fiancé Amanda Tippett) of St. Charles, MO and Livie Burkeen (fiancé Curry Haydon) of Crestwood, KY; his mother, Christina Harper DeFaria & his second father, Greg DeFaria of Paducah, KY and his sisters, Cindy Burkeen Taylor (Trevor) of Crestwood, KY; Amy Dukes Scott (Neal) of Paducah, KY; and Kim DeFaria DeAnda (Dylan) of Whitefish, MT. He also leaves behind his longtime, devoted and loving girlfriend, Tonya White of Paducah, KY.
Billy was a proud uncle to Koby, Hannah, Sawyer, and Lilly Taylor; Kendall Mclean Scott; Trip Scott; Bailey, Brady and Dagny DeAnda; Callie Dodson; Toxey and Weston Rudd. His legacy as the cool “Uncle Billy” will live on through the stories they tell and the laughter they share. He is also survived by his aunts, Patricia Robinson and Sheila Garett, and a large extended family of cousins and close friends who were like family to him.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Darrel Burkeen; paternal grandparents, William J. “Doodle” Burkeen, Inez Burkeen, and Betty Burkeen; maternal grandparents, Raymond and Thelma Harper; his cousins, Shannon and Seth Cross; and uncles, Jimmy Ray Harper and Phillip Burkeen.
A memorial visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 PM on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. A service will follow at 2:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life immediately after to be held at Rolling Hills Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, Billy’s wishes were to direct any expressions of sympathy to the Cody Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be made at any Truist Bank location. Checks may also be mailed to, Cody Cooper Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 27 Tiline, KY 42083.
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