William Gordon Burnett

December 9, 1963 - June 24, 2020

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William Gordon "Gee" Burnett, Jr., 56, husband of Margaret Burnett and father to Ellis and Elizabeth Burnett, died Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

Born in Tampa, FL, he was the son of Louise Ellis Burnett and the late William Gordon Burnett. He is survived by his brother Charles “Chuck” Burnett, sisters Pamela Dato and Alison Pennington, their spouses and children, and many special friends.

Gee was a member of Advent United Methodist Church. He was an active member of Holly Tree Country Club. Gee was also a member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla (Tampa) and a member and past President of The Merry Makers Club (Tampa). He attended The University of Florida, Wofford College, and served his country in the United States Army from 1984-1986.

Gee was a natural athlete and loved baseball and tennis and any good-humored contest from the courts to the card table. He had a genius for friendship and good will, a tender spirit and knew the beauty, joy and importance of any gathering, large or small, of friends and family.

Due to Covid19 restrictions, the family has chosen to have a private memorial service at this time. A Celebration of Gee's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mission Guatemala or a charity of your choice.

Friends are encouraged to leave condolence messages for the family on the "Tribute Wall" tab above.

William Gordon "Gee" Burnett, Jr., 56, husband of Margaret Burnett and father to Ellis and Elizabeth Burnett, died Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Born in Tampa, FL, he was the son of Louise Ellis Burnett and the late William Gordon Burnett. He is survived by his brother Charles “Chuck” Burnett, sisters Pamela Dato and Alison Pennington,Continue Reading

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Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I first met Gee, who was working with Wetzel Realty, during our move from Michigan three years ago.
Gee was very helpful with names of people and businesses in making this transition so much better than was expected.
He was a great ambassador for Simpsonville SC.
My sympathies to his family. He will be missed.

Louise, I am so sorry about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If there is any thing I can do for you please do not hesitate to let me know. I have moved but my ph # is 813/513/2242.

Sending lots of prayers and hope for comfort to everyone during this time! The video was a fantastic tribute. I am going to miss seeing Gee on the Holly Tree tennis courts. He always waved as I drove by on the way home. Although it has been years, it seem liked just the other day when we were on the pool deck at a Holly Tree swim team event. Godspeed!

Louise, I extend by deep condolences for the loss of your child; I am guessing he attending Plant Hi at about the time with my daughter, Laurie Lackman. I send my virtual hug to you. May your grandchildren and other members of your family provide solace for you at this devastating time.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Dear Louise, I send my deepest sympathy and prayers for you and your family in this great loss. I lost my son Jim 6 years ago and it is hard.

My Fellow Gunner You will be sorely missed CM I

I had the pleasure of getting to know Gee and competing on the tennis court against him...his kindness and humor are some of the things I will remember the most. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family...and all that knew him.

I was Gee’s Platoon Leader at Ft. Campbell and was my driver. We would make each other laugh and laugh even in the most serious of situations. I loved his sense of humor. His standards were above the rest and proud to always have called him my friend. Rest in Peace.

I met Gee on the tennis courts at Holly Tree. He was an amazing man to be around - he had such a great sense of humor and such a positive and encouraging spirit. I am glad to have met him and sorry for not getting to know him better. You are already and forever missed Gee.

I worked with Gee at Wetzel Realty and he was always willing to help with anything needed. He was great with people and had the best sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.

So, there we were – Gee, Margaret, Rox, and me – sitting in a BIG crowd waiting for the next act at Jazz Fest a few years back, and the line of people snaking through the crowd had somehow ended up going immediately in front of us. Gee said “watch this” and rotated his chair 90 degrees into the line of traffic. The people stopped, looked around confused, awkwardly backed up, and re-formed their line of traffic immediately behind us. Problem solved. Gee looked over at me with that big smile, winked, and tipped his beer at me. I’m not sure I’ve ever known anyone with a keener sense of human nature than Gee Burnett. The world will miss his good and generous spirit. Margaret, Ellis, and Lizzie, we grieve with you, and send all our love.

Thank you so much for sharing all the pictures in the video. It just shows Gee, as we all knew him. A fantastic guy with a smile, that light could light up any room. I've never seen him without that smile and and his good humor. Playing tennis or hanging out afterwards for a drink was always fun!!! Hard to understand that you aren't there anymore, Gee. You will be missed deary!!!
Thoughts and prayers for the family️

Having been friends with Ellis all through highschool and then being on the swim team with Lizzie I was lucky enough to see Gee and Margaret quite often! It was well known how amazing Ellis’s parents were and I can remember thinking that I always wanted to have a relationship like theirs. Gee was always the life of the party and made everyone he spoke to feel special. It seems unreal that he is gone. He has most certainly touched so many lives that his memory will live on and I know that he has had a positive impact on mine. Ellis, Lizzie and Marg I wish I could hug all of you right now. Praying for you 3 and your entire family.

I will always remember the great times we had playing tennis together! God took a good one home! All the best to the Burnett family! We are thinking about y'all!

I also met Gee playing tennis at Holly Tree. I was a member there when I first moved to South Carolina. Gee was one of the first people I met. He was such a great person and always made me feel welcome. His humor, infectious laugh, and love of life will be greatly missed!
RIP my friend!

So very sorry for your loss. The Burnett family is so special and loved.

What a great man. I will miss his infectious smile and his hearty laugh. Prayers are with you all. Rest in peace my friend.

Thinking of you and your entire family during this tragic time! The video captures his love of family and friends, and even though I didn’t know Gee, I could feel his love.

Gee was my best friend senior year and my fondest memory of Plant High School. He was probably a lot of people's best friend. He dubbed himself the Universal Mixer because he could make any situation better by being there. I never met anyone more quick-witted or who had a funnier comment to make in a given moment. Even though I haven't seen him in 25 years, I have a great sense of loss that he isn't somewhere in the world. My heart is broken for his family and friends who will sense that loss daily; I trust that time will bring comfort and healing. Much love and big hugs to the family: Louise, Pam, Alison, Chuck, Margaret, Ellis and Elizabeth and all the extended family and 'best friends' whose lives were made better by knowing Gee. We will all miss him immensely.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I played tennis with Gee and enjoyed his skills on the court and his gifts of wit and compassion off the court. I am so very sorry for his loss and the pain you are going through. It seems unfair. He had more living to do. If ever you need a dose of Gee memories, please stop by the courts on wed. evening. We can fill you up.

Gee was a very special man--and he will be missed by ALL.. My deepest sympathy ..
Barbara Woods
The video was a real tribute- loved it!

Prayers for peace and many many good memories! The video was awesome! Brought tears to my eyes!

RIP Brother. A friend to all who had the privilege of knowing you. We will miss you more than you will ever know. Thank you for the memories!

Gee was a great guy. We went to Plant HSTogether and had Spanish class. He was taken way too soon

Gee’s smile could light up any room. He was kind and compassionate and will be missed by anyone who was lucky enough to have known him. Love and prayers to Margaret, Ellis and Lizzie. I pray that you will find peace in your sweet memories of a man who loved you all dearly!

The obituary says everything anyone needs to know about Gee. Like many people, I met Gee on the tennis courts attempting to return his left handed serve. I can’t think of a time I ever saw him without a smile and good humor. I’m going to miss that dearly.

Thoughts and prayers for the family.

I can’t think of Gee without recalling his wit and good humor. He had a ready laugh and seemed to truly enjoy life. He will be missed.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.