The Arkansas Razorback community is grieving the death of Bill Burnett, one of the program’s most decorated running backs and a longtime fixture in the state, who died earlier this week in Springdale at the age of 78.
Burnett, a lifelong Arkansas native, starred for the Razorbacks from 1968 through 1970 under Frank Broyles. His time in Fayetteville included a major milestone for the program: he helped power Arkansas to its first Sugar Bowl victory, a dominant 1968 win over Georgia.
By the time his college career ended in 1970, Burnett had helped Arkansas reach two Sugar Bowls and stack up a 28-5 record across three seasons. Even now, more than five decades later, his name still sits near the top of the school’s record book. He remains the program’s career touchdown leader with 49 and is one of only 19 Razorback running backs to top 2,000 rushing yards, finishing with 2,204.
His impact didn’t stop when the playing days were over. Burnett stayed deeply involved in the Arkansas community, serving as a founding member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and working as a director for more than 50 years. His obituary also says he helped open a crisis pregnancy center in Fort Smith.
Recognition for Burnett’s football career came in waves. He was elected to the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 1995, becoming one of only 270 Arkansas athletes to receive that distinction since the hall was established in 1988.
A year later, he entered the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Two decades after that, he was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, where he is one of only 167 people honored.
After Burnett’s passing on Saturday, his daughter, Joy Burnett Irvin, shared a tribute on social media that reflected the faith that shaped his life.
"My dad loved Jesus more than anything," Irvin said. "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."
A celebration of life is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Fellowship Bible Church in Fayetteville. Instead of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Burnett’s honor to the Northwest Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes or the 1st Choice Pregnancy Medical Center in Fort Smith.
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