Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Sharon Sue Burton, "Byrd, Burt or PE," 67 of Worland, WY. Was embraced by her Lord on December 16, 2020 at the Washakie Medical Center. She fought a courageous battle with COVID-19.
Sharon was born on January 14, 1953 to her parents Mr. and Mrs. Dottie (Tate) Burton. She attended College Hill Elementary, Schwab Jr. High and Aiken High School in Cincinnati, Ohio graduating in 1971. She attended Ohio State University and received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Health, Physical Education and Rehabilitation. She also earned a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb and is a Graduate of Ecola Bible School in Cannon Beach, Oregon. She was one smart girl! Yes, she was on the Dean's list too.
Sharon never married. She instead choose to live the life of an Adventurer.
Growing up she played the violin and was a Girl Scout. Girl Scouting took her on a journey that would lead to Worland. Sharon was a Girl Scout Camp Director at Camp Ross Trails (Ross, Ohio), Camp Windego (Wild Rose, Wisconsin) and National Center West (Ten Sleep, WY).
Hello, Worland! Sharon became the PE teacher at Eastside Elementary School. She taught school for many years. While in Worland she bicycled all over the Western US, cross country skied, started the Turkey Trot and rode on a few cattle drives. Once while branding someone missed and got Sharon instead. From there on out it was, "That one's mine, she has my brand." Special Olympics was dear to her heart.
Missionary work called to her and her world adventures began. Working for World Vision and OC International, she lived many years in Swaziland (South Africa), Romania and Kosovo. She set up programs so parents could learn to care for and keep their special needs children.
Later, she traveled to countries all over the world, but always ended up back in Worland. She took a position in 2020 at Meadowlark Ski Lodge in Ten Sleep, WY, loving every minute of it! But COVID-19 came calling. She kept her humor till the end.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved dog, Calamity Jane.
Those left behind and cherishing her memory include her sister Christina (Bill) Peters, of Melrose, Florida, sister, Kathy (Joe) Kieras, of Spring Hill, Florida, brother Mark Burton, of Hickory, North Carolina, 6 Nieces and Nephews, 9 Great Nieces and Nephews, her dearest friends Nancy and Larry Heiser of Worland, Wyoming and many, many more around the world.
Great Aunt Sharon a storyteller of storytellers will be missed by all. "God bless us everyone!" Merry Christmas! AND WEAR YOUR MASK!
Have a story to tell? Or need someone to listen? Sharon is a great listener. She has requested a bench on the walking path. So come on over, visit and sit with Sharon. Or should I say, sit on Sharon. Ha, Ha, Ha!!
Funeral and cremation arrangements have concluded. A Celebration of Life will happen in the summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Special Olympics Wyoming, 239 W. 1st St, Casper, Wyoming 82601 or [email protected] Arrangements have been entrusted to Veile Mortuary.