Bill Burton’s Legacy Honored By The Community He Calls Home

By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium

Last Friday, the City of Seattle honored long-time community hero William “Bill” Burton for his tireless work to provide a safe place and an outlet for youth to develop physically, emotionally, and mentally in South Seattle by renaming South Oregon Street to Bill Burton Way.

During a ceremony attended by friends and family members of Burton, Dwane Chappelle, director of the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning; King County Councilmember Girmay Zahily’s Chief of Staff Shannon Braddock and Rhonda Lewis; King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski; and Patrick Carter, Area Director for Boys and Girls Club of King County, the city unveiled the new street signs for Bill Burton Way.

Burton began his career at the King County Boys and Girls Club in 1979, where he’d go on to become the Area Director for the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club. Burton’s vision was to provide a welcoming space for youth in what had been seen as a neglected building. Spending more than 20 years working day in and day out, Burton is the main reason why the building was able to be redeveloped and renovated into a $24 million facility.

This project of a new space was Burton’s gift to the community he grew up in. Under his leadership, Rainier Vista’s Boys and Girls Club has become a staple of the neighborhood. His determination to see the youth build confidence and successfully grow in all facets of life started with him inspiring them to thrive. 

“It’s more than just a club,” said Nate Miles, an active board member of the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club. “Bill Burton has made that place a safe haven for children.”

Because of Burton’s leadership and vision, Rainier Vista currently has over 175 kids from the neighborhood participate in various programs every day, and the mentorship he’s provided over these years has allowed many young members to build relationships and give themselves a chance to unpack their gifts and passions that they’ll use one day to make a difference in the world.

“I wanted to say to you on behalf of the Mayor and City of Seattle, and that we appreciate you,” said Chapelle during the unveiling ceremony. “We thank you for the service and everything you have done for our young scholars that are coming after us, and appreciate the ground you have laid. It is people like you that give individuals like myself and these young people great shoulders to stand on.”

After decades of hard work in the community, March 31, 2022 was officially named Bill Burton Day, as proclaimed by King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. In addition to having his day, a fundraising effort in Burton’s name was created to make the club accessible to all community members regardless of what their financial situation may be.

The impact Burton had on the lives of youth helped encourage them to live out their dreams and taught them to reach for what seemed impossible. Dedicating his life to creating a positive difference within the Rainier Vista community is why he’ll forever be remembered with his own street “Bill Burton Way” and the Club’s basketball court forever being referred to as “Bill Burton Court”.

“Years from now, when someone drives down the street and says, ‘who is Bill Burton?’ Kids will say ‘That’s Uncle Bill,’” Miles said. “That’s Bill Burton, the guy who made sure we had this building.”

During the ceremony, Braddock also thanked Burton for his work in the community.

“There’s nothing more important than building our communities, and building the support for our families and our kids,” said Braddock. “Mr. Burton, I want to thank you for everything you have done in that space, it really is a privilege to be here and see you honored in this phase.”

Referring to him at one point in time as the man, the myth, the legend, Lewis reflected on what it’s been like knowing Burton over the years.

“In Mr. Burton I saw a gentle giant, a giant heart, a giant soul, a giant worth of giving,” said Lewis. “I saw him go about his business of supporting kids, of making the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club a learning place, a place they have fun, and most importantly a place where kids felt they belong.”

“We’re standing and sitting here at Bill Burton Court and when I hear Bill Burton Court, it’s almost a sentence Bill Burton and how he courted financial backing to do the things he wanted to do for kids and families of King County,” continued Lewis. “The street outside was named Bill Burton Way. In addition to honoring his great work, I hope that it will be a reminder to do things “the Bill Burton Way”. We appreciate you so much and our kids and community are so much better off for it.”

Providing an outlet for the youth dating back to 1979, Bill Burton’s legacy will continue to flourish from generation to generation. He’s worked tirelessly and has built a beautiful safe space that will continue to benefit our next generation of politicians, doctors, engineers, or sports icons. The sky is the limit and a huge part of that is because of Bill Burton’s Way.

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