Leo William Burton

Leo William Burton, 76, of Biloxi, MS died on Monday, September 27, 2010. Leo was an amazing man who had an amazing life, just ask anyone who knew him in the almost 77 years of his life. Leo was born in Bloomfield Hills, MI on the site of Cranbrook where his father worked. After moving to Detroit, he attended Precious Blood School and Catholic Central High School. He was a great supporter of C.C. all of his life. His work ethic was formed very early. He spent his summers at his grandparents' farm in Markdale, Canada, where his grandfather and Uncle Leo taught him and let him find out for himself how to do just about anything. This from the age of eight. Leo went to work for General Motors after attending the University of Detroit. He joined the Air Force during the Korean War and spent his time at Keelser Air Force Base where he formed lasting friendships, including his first wife, Dorothy. They returned to Michigan and he returned to General Motors where he quickly rose in the ranks. He became the youngest man to be offered the job of Manager of an entire plant, but he wanted something more so he started his own company, High Performance Machines or HPM as it came to be known. Together with his two partners, Cal Smith and George Vieira, they built Numerically Controlled Machines for many large corporations, including NASA. After 20 years and a take over by the Crane Corp., he decided to retire but continued consulting other businesses for about 8 years. Leo and his wife, Diane, moved to Biloxi in 1995. He spent his time helping his five children with many projects large and small and just being there for them. Leo was president of the Edgewater Estates Homeowners Assoc. for many years and fought to keep his neighborhood special and safe. Leo is survived by his wife of 27 years, Diane; five children, Ann Marie (Gary) Dronet, Ellen (Stephen) Peresich, Michael Burton, Patricia (Steven) Bodin, and Pamela (Craig) Wilson; two step-children, Carrie (Raphael) Fusciardi, Molly (Douglas) Owens; nine grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; sister, Dee Weber; one niece and two nephews, grand nieces and nephews, many cousins in Canada, the U.S. and Guernsey, Channel Islands, Dot Burton, Cary Elder and Lynette Stock. Leo touched the lives of many and will be remembered for his generosity, sense of humor, strength of character and always being there for his friends and family. A memorial service will be held at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on Pass Road in Biloxi on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Friends may visit from 12:00 p.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507.