Mr. Burton Ellis Witherwax was born Aug. 21, 1927, in Woodlawn, La. He was the firstborn son of James and Gertrude Witherwax. Burton always honored his father and mother, so it’s unsurprising that he lived a long and fruitful life. Burton left this life bound for heaven on Feb. 10, 2025, at the age of 97 years, five months, and 20 days.

Burton graduated from Fenton High School in May of 1944, upon turning 17 years old in August, he enlisted in the Navy for service during World War II. He trained as a gunner and was assigned as part of an armed guard detachment on civilian cargo ships, spending the last year of the war criss-crossing the Pacific. During one trip, he survived a typhoon. He was aboard the Virginian City Victory, anchored off the coast of Okinawa, when the Japanese surrendered. He spent a year past the end of the war fulfilling his commitment to the Navy, removing equipment from Pacific islands. He ended his service at a Navy base in Florida, where he made ropes and eyes for mooring navy ships.

Burton then returned to Louisiana, where he went to work for The Union Sulphur Company in the Iowa gas fields. Through a combination of hard work, intelligence, on-the-job training, and his willingness to assume more responsibility when his company offered it to him, Burton eventually promoted to Superintendent of a large natural gas refinery between Basile and Eunice, where he retired in 1989.

He met, dated, and eventually married Ruth Corbello of Iowa, La. To their union were born six children, Shirley Ruth, Theron Ellis, Krista Ann, Dwight Burton, Betty Renee, and Katheryn Kay.

Burton was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy and Gertrude; his youngest brother, Gerald, and his sisters, Elthabye (Dub) Moseley and Scottie Gary. He is survived by his sister, Betty Hardy of Iowa, La. and brother, Gwendell (Jean) of Moss Bluff. He is also survived by all of his children, Shirley Ruth Witherwax, Theron Ellis Witherwax (wife, Charlotte), Krista Ann Sanderson (husband, Wallace), Dwight Burton Witherwax (wife, Kimberly), Betty Renee Shamblin (husband, Michael), and Katheryn Kay Darbonne (husband, Terry). He is also survived by 28 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held in Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 at 10 a.m. Pastor Pat Deshotel and Dr. Michael Shamblin, officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery under the direction of Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa. Visitation will begin Thursday in the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visitation will resume Friday in the funeral home from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. 

Words of comfort may be shared at: www.johnso nandbrownfuneralhome.com / Facebook: Johnson & Brown Funeral Home.