William Burnette was born in Georgia in 1883. His military records indicate that he left school at age eight when he completed the third grade. He worked as a farm-hand and laborer in civilian life, and a former employer stated that Burnette “was a good man and always behaved himself.” His record also says, “Acquaintances claim he was a heavy drinker,” but indicates he had no civil record of law violations in civilian life. He had one SCM for fighting, received during his first enlistment. He was one of the older men in the battalion, and a veteran of at least one prior enlistment before the Houston Rebellion.

His conduct in confinement was described as “excellent.” In April 1924 the Clemency Board reported that Burnette was at that time serving a twenty year sentence, “reduced from life,” and that his sentence was due to expire on October 5, 1931. He was 41 years old at that time and was serving as an outside trusty in the prison. The board recommended that a year be taken off his sentence, which was approved a few days later.

Two months later on June 7, the JAG went a step further and reported that “Under date of May 31, 1924, the Superintendent of Prisons reports that the Board of Parole for the Leavenworth Penitentiary has granted parole to William Burnette, effective September 1, 1924.

Burnette was released on parole, but on July 5, 1938, the JAG sent a letter to the AG indicating that Burnette was back in confinement. “It appears from the accompanying papers,” the JAG wrote, “Burnette was released on parole December 11, 1924, and returned to the penitentiary July 7, 19__ [the year is illegible – might be 1936], as a parole violator, with the loss of all his good conduct time. It further appears that during the years he has been in confinement, both before parole and after his return to the penitentiary in 1936, he has maintained a good record.” The JAG concludes, “In a memorandum for General Conley [partially illegible], dated January 7, 1937, it is stated that ‘The unexecuted portion of the sentence to confinement of all these Houston rioters on home parole have now been remitted, as has also that of one who was in confinement.’ In view of the foregoing it is believed that clemency should be extended in this case. Accordingly it is recommended that the unexecuted portion of the sentence to confinement be remitted.”