Gene, known as “Buddy” in Tennessee, was the younger twin born on Oct. 4, 1940, in Jackson County, Tennessee, to Richard Cecil and Mattie Lou (Norton) Burton.
Education was always important to their family, as his father had a third-grade education and his mother had an eighth-grade education. Gene graduated from Cookeville Central High School in 1959 and immediately joined the United States Air Force.
While stationed at Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage, working as a medical clerk, he met Adeline June Williams of Sitka, who was working as a licensed practical nurse at the Alaska Native Service Hospital in Anchorage. They were married on Nov. 12, 1960, at the Anchorage Courthouse. He was adopted into the Chookaneidi, Wandaa Hit of Hoonah, and given the name of Adeline’s father, Frank O. Williams Sr., Leidoojée.
After moving to Sitka in 1978, Gene worked with the United States Post Office and retired in 1985 after a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed. After recovering, he spent many years helping friends repair radios and CBs as well as advocating for disability rights.
He was a proud lifetime member of the American Legion Post 13, serving over the years as Post Commander, Judge Advocate, and Club Manager. Gene's dedication and passion to Post 13 will always be remembered, as he led by example and set the standard. He always had encouraging words for friends and family and lived his life by example, always working hard and living a life filled with dignity and purpose.
"We are born for a higher destiny than that of earth; there is a realm where the rainbow never fades, where the stars will be spread before us like islands that slumber on the ocean, and where the beings that pass before us like shadows will stay in our presence forever." – Edward Bulwer-Lytton
