William M. Burris, Jr.

Born: 9/23/1940 Died: 10/5/2011 Mr. William M. Burris, Jr., known fondly as “Bill,” age 71, of Seaford, DE, passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE, surrounded by his family. Born in Cincinnati, OH, on September 23, 1940, Mr. Burris was the son of the late William M. Burris, Sr. and Lillian Maske Burris. He was a 1958 graduate of William Penn High School in New Castle, DE, and proudly served his country in the US Navy. After leaving the service, he made his career in electrical sales for over 50 years. For the past 16 years, he was employed as a project manager with the John W. Tieder Co. in Cambridge, MD. A devout Christian throughout his life, Mr. Burris was a longtime member of St. John’s U.M. Church in Seaford, where he taught Sunday School, served on the finance committee, and was active with United Methodist Men. He was a former member of Zion U.M. Church in Cambridge, MD, and of Asbury U.M. Church in New Castle, DE. He was also a member of the Masonic order for over 32 years, serving as Past Master of Masonic Lodge #66 in Cambridge, MD. His other Masonic affiliations included the Nur Temple Shrine and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, both in Cambridge, MD. He was a former member of the school board of the New Castle-Gunning Bedford (now Colonial) School District. In his leisure hours, Mr. Burris greatly enjoyed fishing, traveling, and researching his family genealogy. He delighted in spending time with his family, especially his beloved grandchildren whom he adored. He will be long remembered and admired for the great personal pride he took in working hard and being able to provide for the family he loved so very much. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Phyllis Robinson Burris; sons, William M. “Bill” Burris III (Bonnie) of Landenberg, PA, Paul G. Burris (Jenny) of Middletown, DE, and Dean L. Burris (Lisa) of Virginia Beach, VA; sisters, Sandra Poland (Carroll) and Linda Kerns (John); grandchildren, Ashley, Taylor, Allison, Nicole, John Matthew, and Paul II; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his pet Labradors, Baron, Bear, and Bud. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011, at St. John’s U.M. Church, Pine and Poplar Streets, Seaford, DE 19973, where visitation will begin at 1 pm. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE 19720, where visitation will begin at 9:30 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Burris may be made to St. John’s U.M. Church, P.O. Box 299, Seaford, DE 19973.