Dr. Everette Clifton Burdette

Dr. Everette Clifton “Clif” Burdette, 74, of Champaign, IL, formerly of Atlanta, GA, West Palm Beach, FL, and S. Charleston, WV, died at 5:56 pm. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana, IL.

Dr. Burdette was born June 26, 1950 in S. Charleston, WV, a son of Orral L. and Helen Grace Burdette. He married Sheila Sue Lafon on February 16, 1971.

He graduated from West Palm Beach High in 1968, Georgia Institute of Technology in 1973 with a B.S. in Physics and in 1976 with a M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and Emory University in 1983 with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Physiology. After graduation, he worked in the development of radar systems and microwave devices for military applications for 7 years. He then spent more than 40 years working in radiation oncology, hyperthermic oncology, ultrasound imaging, and urological fields, managing the development of ultrasound and electromagnetic medical devices for therapeutic and diagnostic imaging applications, which have helped produce positive outcomes for countless patients. He has held faculty positions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Emory University School of Medicine, and Georgia Institute of Technology. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications and technical reports, and 7 book chapters, and holds 34 patents.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Savoy, IL, served on the corporate boards of Crisis Nursery and multiple other medical research and device corporations, and was the longest serving member of the board in the history of Urbana’s Burnham/Covenant/Presence/OSF Hospital, and helped pioneer the Champaign County Christian Health Center.

Survivors include his wife, Sheila, four daughters: Michelle (Richard) Feamster of Hickory, NC, Christa (Dimosthenes) Valkanos of Naperville, IL, Jennifer (Emery) Williams of Champaign, IL, and Emily (Eric) Hays of North Bend, WA, 16 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jim Burdette.

A visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 pm. on Saturday, February 15th, at Owens Funeral Home in Champaign, IL.

A private family burial will be held at a later date in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, WV. Following the burial, there will be a private celebration of life service at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, Nitro, WV.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Dr. Burdette’s favorite charities: Crisis Nursery, Eastern Illinois Food Bank, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, and the Ronald McDonald House.


 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Everette Clifton Burdette, please visit our floral store.