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By Miriam RafteryMarch 22, 2024 (El Cajon) –William Burton, a Granite Hills High School senior and top athlete in both baseball and football, was known as “Mr. Granite Hills.” Since his tragic death five years ago, a scholarship established by his family has awarded $1,000 to a deserving Granite Hills senior. Now, the family is asking for donations to help sustain the William Barton Spirit of the Eagle Scholarship.
“My wife, Donna and I started the scholarship in honor of my son, William, who was killed in an auto accident in December 2017,” Brad Burton told EMC. “We have created a website, www.WilliamBurtonSpiritoftheEagle.com, and in conjunction with the Grossmont Union High School District, have established an account into which the public can donate.”
According to the website, the scholarship was created to honor William and to recognize students who demonstrate the qualities of “bravery, patriotism, individuality, and kindness; qualities that helped make William so remarkable.”
Brad and Donna Burton have been joined in this effort by William’s brothers, Jacob and Zachary. Each year, the Burton family selects a senior who has been kind to fellow students and has demonstrated courage to take risks and stand up for their beliefs, as well as exhibiting individuality and who is recognized as a patriotic American.
The recipient of each year’s scholarship will have his/her name engraved on the William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Trophy displayed at Granite Hills High School and receive a check in the amount of $500.00 - $1,000 to spend at his/her own discretion.
William Burton participated in Little League baseball in Alpine, AYSO soccer, and football at Granite Hills, where he helped the Eagles win three consecutive League championships. As a senior, he was named to the All-CIF first team as a defensive lineman in football. He was also named the Grossmont League’s Defensive Player of the Year and 1st Team All League as a tight end and defensive lineman. He also helped the Eagles baseball team win League and CIF championships in his sophomore season and reached semi-finals as a junior. He was being recruited as both a professional football player and baseball prospect before his death in a head-on collision.
According to the scholarship site, William was “gregarious and fun-loving and his enthusiasm for life was contagious. Even in extremely competitive situations, William would soon have a group of players around him laughing and having fun... William was a free spirit and independent thinker in every way.”
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