William "Bill" Franklin Burns

William F. (Bill) Burns, Jr., 98, died at his home in Kerrville, TX on March 24, 2026. He was born Dec. 14, 1927, to William and Molissa Burns in Enid, OK where he spent his childhood. Upon graduation from high school in 1945 he joined the U.S. Navy. After discharge he attended Phillips University in Enid, Wichita University in Wichita, KS and Oklahoma University in Norman, OK.

Bill married Jean Harker in Dallas, TX in 1958. He worked for the Santa Fe Railway and Delta Airlines before joining U.S. Customs in 1959. He worked for Customs for 9 years in Houston and 17 years Laredo, TX, retiring in 1986. He and Jean moved to Kerrville in 1988. He was a member and officer of the Lions Club in Laredo, the Federal Executives in Laredo, the Garden Club in Kerrville, and the Christian Assistance Ministry in Kerrville.

A person of strong faith, he served as elder, teacher, and board chairman at the First Christian Church of Laredo; elder and teacher at the First Christian Church of Kerrville; and elder, teacher, and jail ministry participant at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville. He delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and worked tirelessly at the Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM), serving in multiple positions and winning the CAM Volunteer of the Year award in 2010. He loved helping others.

Bill is survived by daughters, Kathryn Anne Burns and Carrie Jean Burns of Kerrville; nephew, Mike O’Brien; nieces, Judy O’Brien Logsdon and Patricia O’Brien.

He was pre-deceased by his wife of 53 years, Jean Harker Burns; his daughter Christy Lee Burns; his sister, Kay O’Brien; brother-in-law Bob O’Brien; sister-in-law, Mary Corley; brother-in-law Curtis Harker; sister-in-law, Doris Harker; and nephews Curtis Corley and Robert Corley.

He loved God, his wife, family, people and animals and enjoyed feeding “God’s Creatures” including deer, squirrels, raccoons, birds and hummingbirds.

He will be cremated and a private celebration of his life held by family at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Christian Assistance Ministry (kerrcam.com) 521 Barnett Street, Kerrville, Texas 78028.

“For what does the Lord ask of us but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.”

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