Willard "Bill" Burns Jr., age 78, of Ketchum and Millbrae, Calif., died on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at Blaine Manor in Hailey, after a long battle with cancer.
He was born Sept. 6, 1929, in Kansas City, Mo., the child of Willard Sr. and Helen Burns. Bill attended schools in Oakland, Calif., before serving in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Boxer during the Korean War as a fireman. Bill married Joan Brader on Sept. 9, 1950. in San Francisco, Calif. They lived in the Bay Area and then settled in Ketchum 25 years ago.
Bill loved hiking and fishing. He truly enjoyed off-roading in their little red Jeep.
Survivors include his wife, Joan, of Millbrae, Calif.; his sons, Michael Burns and his fiancé, Patricia Fantucchio, of San Jose, Calif., and Jeffrey Burns and his companion, Renee Coughlin, of Vallejo, Calif.; his grandchildren Brianah and Brandon of Alameda, Calif.; his sister Beverly Christensen of Grangeville, Idaho; his nieces Laurie (Randy) Damon of Grangeville and Nancy (Mike) McCoy of Boise; and his dear friends Dr. Leon and Linda Goldman of Ketchum. Those preceding him in death were his parents and his brother Vern.
Bill's family send their heartfelt gratitude to the Blaine Manor for Bill's care during the short time he was there, to the Scout Troop for the lovely plant they brought to Bill and to Michelle Berntson of Wells Fargo Bank for her advice and assistance, to St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center of Ketchum, to Dr. Fairman, Dr. Symington, and Dr. Knibbe for his care, and to the drivers of Sun Valley Chauffeur Co. for their helpful and caring assistance. Thanks to all at St. Francis Pet Clinic of Ketchum for the loving care of Bill's pet kitty, Ziba.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Blaine Manor Auxiliary, PO Box 273, Hailey, Idaho, 83333, and the Lymphoma/Leukemia Foundation of San Francisco.
Bill's family will plan a memorial at Stanley Lake next summer. Cremation took place under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey, Idaho.
