Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 3:00 PM, with Visitation starting at 12:00 PM, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Redemptorist, 3333 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111. Burial will follow services in Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.
Bill was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 24, 1947, son of William Spain Burns and Anna Mae Fisher Burns. In 1950, William and Anna Mae moved to Liberty, Missouri, to what many in the area will always remember as the Burns Family Farm. Bill was the oldest of 11 children, all of who have timeless memories of growing up on the farm with their big brother Bill wrangling horses, tossing horseshoes (and an occasional pear), and enjoying a cigar. Bill attended St. James Catholic grade school, Maur Hill Academy in Atchison Kansas, and graduated from St. Pius X High School in 1965.
While attending Metropolitan Junior College Kansas City, Bill worked as an orderly for St. Luke’s Hospital. Following in his family meat business heritage he ventured to Iowa Beef Packers Emporia, Kansas. Upon returning to Kansas City, when working for Fisher Meat Company, Bill was known as the “Meat Man’s Meat Man”, and was influential in ushering in the modern ‘box beef’ method of distribution to Kansas City.
Although reluctant to go on a blind date that his sister arranged for him, it turned out to be the best decision of Bill’s life. He married Sherry, the love of his life, his ‘numero uno', and during 48 years of marriage they raised five daughters, who he loved unconditionally, and were blessed with 10 grandchildren. Their home was always full of sincere love and laughter, and many a card game.
Bill was a devout Catholic who loved parish life. He could be found on Sundays in the church atrium, sharing his commentary of the week’s homily, passing out donuts, and telling jokes. He was a member of the Parish Council of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist of Kansas City. He dedicated his life to serving in soup kitchens, delivering to food pantries, and as an AA sponsor. Bill’s way of service was that of a true Christian in that so many of his acts were not known to anyone but himself. An Irishman through and through, Bill loved playing tricks, and playing gin. He especially loved marching in the St. Patrick’s Day parade with his friends and family. Bill knew everybody and everybody knew Bill. He was larger than life, a purveyor of life.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marita, father-in-law Cecil Davis, brother-in-law C.L. Davis and nephews Michael Collins and Joe Burns. He is survived by his wife Sherry, mother-in-law Esther Davis of Liberal, Kansas, daughters Sara Barlow and Neil of Las Vegas Nevada, Catherine Fontana and Denis, Leslie Rose McTighe and Bradley, Margaret Sprouse and Jacob all of Kansas City, Mary Anna Wallace and Brian of Denver, CO, and grandchildren Kennedy, Victoria, Audrey, William, Marco, Michael, Holden, Dalton, Harper, and Cassidy.
He is lovingly remembered by siblings Carol Collins of Portland OR, Therese Burns, Terry Burns of Kansas City, Anna Mae Welnick and Steve of Carlsbad, CA, Eileen Burns, Jack Burns and Lori, Michael Burns and Angie of Kansas City, Leo Burns and Mary Ann O’Rourke of Barrington IL, and Joe Burns of Kansas City, sister-in-law Kandy Davis of Holcomb, KS, brother-in-law Steve Davis and Miriam of Sapulpa OK, and brother-in-law David Davis and Linda of Jenks, OK. Bill will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and a host of beloved cousins and friends.
Bill’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses of Three Rivers Hospice, especially Jean and Nadine, who he fondly referred to as Mrs. Claus.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Bill’s memory be made to Three Rivers Hospice or St. Pius X High School.
