William L. Burns, Sr., of Chesterton, passed away Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 at his residence. He was 88.

He was born May 24, 1918 in Decatur, Ill., the son of Leo and Dean (Bolin) Burns, both of whom preceded him in death. On March 21, 1942 in Chesterton, he married Marie Namys, who survives in Chesterton.

He is survived by four sons, William L. (Linda) Burns Jr. of Hobart, Robert (Jan) Burns of Appleton, Wis., James Burns of Chesterton, Timothy (Laura) Burns of Munster; 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and niece, Karen Dean Merrymen (Lowell) of Winter Haven, Fla.

He was also preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, John D. and Wendy Burns in 2004; a brother, John Burns and a sister, Dorothy Zon.

William was employed as a laborer for U.S. Steel Gary Works and also worked as a custodian for School City of Gary. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II. He was in the 2nd Division in the U.S. Army and participated in The Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of Porter V.F.W. Post, a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Hammond Local 203. He was also a former member of the Chesterton American Legion Post.

A Mass of Christian Burial, Fr. James Meade officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Portage.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church for Masses.

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Posted 10/31/2006