JOHN WILLIAM BURNS
1935-2017
John William Burns, known to most of the world as “Willie” Burns, was born in Galveston, Texas on August 3, 1935, to Eleanore and William John “Bill” Burns. He was their first and only child. Willie passed on to his heavenly father on Sunday, May 14, 2017, in Cypress, Texas.
Willie was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Marcia Beach Burns. His dear friend and current wife of 6 ½ years, Gail Blattel Burns, survives him. He is also survived by his daughter Janice and husband Tim Terrell; son William (Bill) Burns and wife Patti; daughter Ruth and husband Victor Sherlock; son David Burns and wife Sandra; son Matthew Burns and wife Kathy. In addition, he is survived by 12 grandchildren: Tiffany Terrell and fiancé Colin Higgins, Tierney Fingerhut and husband Brandon, Taylor Terrell, John Burns and wife Brandi, Jackson Burns and fiancé Christina Odenborg, Sarah Burns, Abby Sherlock, Christopher Sherlock, Andrew Burns, Ryan Burns, and Allison Burns, and Michael Senizaiz. In addition, he leaves behind three great grandchildren, Braxton Burns and Ainsley Fingerhut, and a great granddaughter born on Tuesday, Breklynn Burns; brother-inlaw Milton Beach and wife Elizabeth; sister-in-law Linda and husband Tom Chapman; cousins Bruce Burns of Irving and Peggy Green of Dickinson; nephews Scott Beach and Mark Beach, and niece, Joy Moynihan, their families and many beloved friends and relatives, as he never met a stranger!
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Marcia & J.W. “Willie” Burns Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Houston 3100 Cullen Blvd. Suite 2011 Houston, Texas 77204-6002 or the Willie Burns TKE Scholarship UHAA 3204 Cullen Blvd. Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77204 or the W. Burns Acorn Endowment at UH Libraries 4333 University Drive, Room 108 Houston, Texas 77204.
The visitation will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail Houston, Texas 77079 on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. Rite of Committal will be held immediately following at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
To honor Willie’s legacy and his beloved Cougars, please wear red!