Obituary of William John 'Willie' Burns

Surrounded by his family the death of Bill Burns, of Fairfield, NB occurred at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. He was born in Irvin, Airshire, Scotland on April 10, 1916 to the late William and Suzanne (Sommerville) Burns. Bill served overseas in Continental Europe in World War II with the Blackwatch Regiment from 1940 -1945. After the war, he worked with Canada Wire and Cable for 35 years and Canron for 10 years. Bill was a member of the Blackwatch Association (Montreal and Nova Scotia), Lancaster Lions, Golden Kiwanis and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #53 Jarvis Bay. He is survived by seven children: Doris Bradley, Diane Renaud (Jacques) and Carol Rouleau (Guy) all of Fairfield, NB, Joan Bartley (Nelson) of Saint John, NB, Heather Burns of Portland, Me, William Jr. (Catherine) of Black River, NB and David Burns of Toronto, ON; one sister: Agnes Hynes of Whitby, ON and 22 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Besides his parents, Bill was predeceased by his loving wife Grace (Hillrich) Burns; two sons: Ralph and Robert; brother Walter; grandson Kenneth Jones and granddaughter Michelle Renaud. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenan’s Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). Bill will be resting at Bains Corner United Church, Bains Corner, NB on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A Royal Canadian Legion Tribute Service will be on Friday at 7 pm during visitation. The funeral service will be held at Bains Corner United Church on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 2 pm. Interment will follow in Brown’s Cemetery, Bains Corner, NB. Remembrances may be made to the Bains Corner United Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.