Darda Burkhart was born in Auburn, Washington, to Percy and Margarette Wills. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Vancouver, B.C., Canada, when Percy began his missionary work on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. While he was engaged in ministry in that isolated area, Margarette, Darda and brother, Frank, lived with Margarette's family in the city.

Following the beginning of World War II, Percy took leave from the mission work and moved the family to Victoria, B.C. There he and Margarette founded a home for the many service men and women stationed around that city. They were "Mom" and "Pop" to the many who came to spend their leave time in a home environment. Darda was their kid sister.

In 1949, Darda married Robert Billester, a California man, and moved to the San Gabriel Valley for the next 26 years. After their graduation from Biola Bible College, Robert pastored several churches. During those years, three sons were born to them, Stephen, Dale and John. Robert died in 1975.

For many years, Darda worked for Avery Label Company, now Avery Dennison in their Marketing Research Department, retiring in 1990.

Darda met and married Richard Burkhart in 1984 when she was living in Corona, CA. In 2005, they moved to Lynden, WA, to be near her son John and his family. Richard died the next year.

The church she was attending announced a Creative Writing class to be taught by Jeanne Halsey, a published author. It sounded interesting, so Darda joined the class. One day after class, she was challenged by Mrs. Halsey to write a book. Startled, she wondered what she could write a book about. She soon found the answer.

Now that she was living in the Pacific Northwest, near where she had grown up, she was reconnected with people who had known her father, Percy, and some who had worked with him. In contacts with them, she was able to gather a lot of information pertaining to the time when she was in California. Later, she was given several folders of Percy's writings that gave her many insights into his work on the west coast.

Her book was published by Pleasant Word division of WinePress Group in Enumclaw, WA.