Melville "Billy" Burnett

Melville (Billy) Burnett, 80, of 1120 Market Street Meadville, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at home.

Melville was born in Zebulon, GA, on August 31, 1940, a son of the late K.C. and Ida Ruth Burnett.

In June 1975, Billy married Verlyn (Patricia) Stinson and they remained lifelong friends.

He was a long-time member of Jesus Living Witness Temple and subsequently a member of St. John’s Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, Meadville.

In 1961, Melville left Meadville and joined the US Air Force. After his enlistment in the Air Force, he returned to Meadville and began working at Abex, where he was a Heavy Forklift Operator and a Grinder. Melville will be remembered as a wonderful father, grandfather and a hardworking man that always ensured his family had everything that they needed. Melville was an avid reader; he spent many hours reading and studying the Bible and was considered by his family to be a biblical scholar. He also enjoyed playing golf, fishing and watching sports on TV. He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

Melville is survived by six children: Mia Colemon (William) of Atlanta, GA, Melvin Banks (Chandra) of Park Forest, IL, Tresonica Russell of Nashville, TN, Louise Burley (Hasan) of Youngstown, OH, Piper Burnett of Jeffersonville, IN, and Danisha Bonner (Justin) of Clifton Park, NY, 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, four sisters: Betty Jenkins, Rev. Melissa Burnett, Melinda Brown, and Millicent Burnett, five brothers: Eddie Joe Burnett (Debbie), Rev. Marvin Burnett (Rev. Deborah), Marshall Burnett and Min. Wayne Burnett (Min. Connie), and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

In addition to his parents, Melville was preceded in death by three sisters: Min. Elizabeth Burnett, Ganelle Brown and Ann Ruth Smith and two brothers, Winfred Morris Burnett and Robert Louis Burnett.

Family and friends are invited to A Celebration of Melville's Life on Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 2-4 PM at Roche Park, Patricia Drive, Meadville. Masks will be required.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made in Melville’s honor to the following Charitable Organizations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. When making a memorial donation please use the Memorial ID #22346600 and Love A Child, P.O. Box 60063, Fort Myers, FL 33906; @https://loveachild.givingfuel.com/gen-donation

STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 404 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE, is entrusted with the arrangements.

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