Bill Burnett, a legendary Arkansas Razorbacks running back and the program’s all-time leading touchdown scorer, passed away last week in Springdale. He was 78. 

His daughter, Joy Burnett Irvin, shared the news. 

“Last night on the 4th of July, my precious daddy Bill Burnett went home to be with Jesus!” she wrote in a Facebook post. “I love the fact that every 4th I can celebrate him. My heart aches for the man I lost, but I'm rejoicing for his eternity. My dad loved Jesus more than anything. I love to think of all the people that are in heaven or on their way there because of my father and his love for Christ.”

His cause of death was not revealed. 

“My fathers funeral service will be held this Thursday at 1pm at Fellowship Bible in Fayetteville. Everyone is welcome to attend. Thanks for all they prayers and text,” Joy Burnett Irvin wrote in her Facebook post.

Burnett was a Bentonville, Arkansas native, and he played for the Razorbacks from 1968 to 1970. He led the program to its first-ever Sugar Bowl victory in 1968. 

He was coached by Frank Broyles, a significant figure in the program’s history. At the end of his college career in 1970, Burnett and his team had made two Sugar Bowl appearances. He had a 28-5 record through three seasons.

Five decades later, Burnett still holds the Razorbacks’ touchdown-scoring record with 49. He is also one of the 19 running backs in the program’s history to rush for over 2000 yards. 

Burnett rushed 526 times for 2,204 rushing yards. He also recorded 28 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns. He was named First Team All-Southwest Conference in 1969 and 1970 and an Academic All-American in 1969.

His other laurels include the Southwest Conference Trophy for Sportsmanship and the Kern Tips Award as the SWC’s outstanding senior in 1970.

In 1995, Burnett was inducted into the Razorback Foundation Hall of Honor and into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Arkansas Football made a statement on Burnett’s passing. 

“Our thoughts are with the Burnett family after the passing of Razorback legend Bill Burnett,” Arkansas football wrote in a post to X on July 6.

Burnett’s legacy goes beyond football in his community in Arkansas, where he spent his lifetime.

Bill Burnett’s faith was a driving force in his life and community 

Bill Burnett was a pioneering leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes movement in Arkansas. He also opened a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Fort Smith, according to Berna Funeral Homes. 

His family has requested donations to the Fellowship and the 1st Choice Pregnancy Medical Centre in Burnett’s memory instead of flowers. His burial will be private and at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville.

Burnett is survived by his wife, Kristy, two sons, a daughter, and nine grandchildren. Our thoughts remain with his family.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar