BURLEY MCALISTER

Burley McAlister, 83, son of Jim Andrew and Maggie Brown McAlister, was born July 5, 1922, at Athens, Tenn. He died July 16, 2005, at Houston House Nursing Center in Houston.He joined the U.S. Navy March 7, 1944. He was a machinist on the U.S.S. Indiana and the U.S.S. Kennebago during World War II. He received the American Area Ribbon and the Victory Medal. He was discharged April 26, 1946.He married Hazel Hazelett Sept. 9, 1985. They were married 17 years before her death Dec. 18, 2002.Mr. McAlister raised rabbits and chickens; restored old tools, many of which he found at flea markets and yard sales and trading things he had acquired.He enjoyed living at Houston House.In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and two brothers.Surviving are his son, James McAlister of Graham, Texas; daughter, Laberta Hart of Rockford, Mich.; one sister, Jean McAlister of Alabama; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.Graveside services were July 18 at the Ozark Cemetery with Virgil Scheets officiating under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. “