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Wilson Parker "Bill" Burns, Jr., 75, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 23, 2015, in Springfield, Missouri. Bill was born May 6, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Wilson and Margaret Jane (Nowels) Burns and grew up in Sharon. He attended Jefferson Elementary and Sharon Junior High School, and graduated from Mercersburg Academy. He attended Cornell University, was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army with the rank of Sergeant, graduated from Augustana College, and studied for an MBA at the University of Iowa. Bill married Sadie Lee Oliver on January 1, 1963. They had four children, Gerald Burns, Fredrick Burns, Cheryl (Burns) Benton and Christopher Burns. Bill lived in Moline, Illinois, Howell, Michigan, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 1975. He was employed by Deere and Company and related companies for 30 years. After retiring, he worked at Reliable Imports & RV in Springfield. He is survived by his wife Sadie; four children, Jerry Burns, Fred Burns, Cheryl (Burns) Benton and Chris Burns; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Deborah Burns. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Olivia Jane (Burns) Ide. A memorial service was held on Friday, November 27, 2015, at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 East Seminole Street, Springfield, Missouri. A private graveside service was held later at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 South Southwood Road, Springfield, Missouri. |  |
