William P. Burns

Middletown, RI - William "Bill" P. Burns, 87, of Middletown, died Friday, April 25, 2014 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Constance "Connie" (DaPonte) Burns. Born in Newport, RI on November 10, 1926, he was the son of the late Patrick and Jane (Ring) Burns. Bill grew up in the Fifth Ward, playing at Aquidneck Park with his childhood home on Bowery Street. A graduate of Roger's High School, he joined the U.S. Navy and served on the Cruiser Spokane, during World War II, as a Gunner's Mate. Bill later joined the U.S. Army, serving as an Artillery Instructor at Fort Bliss, Texas, and then as the NCO in charge of a unit of Half Tracks, equipped with quad .50 caliber powered turrets, in Korea with the26th AAA (AW), a sub unit of the 24 infantry Division. While serving on the battle front in a direct infantry support fire mission, Bill was wounded by enemy mortar fire and was awarded the Purple Heart. After his military service he worked for the US Postal Service in Newport, where he retired. He also served as Past-President of the Newport Carriers Union. He was also a licensed carpenter, and a member of the Carpenters Union. Bill was a member and past president of the VFW, previously an active volunteer with the James L. Maher Center and the Special Olympics. Whenever the opportunity came, he was an enthusiastic dancer with his wife. Besides his wife of 65 years, he is survived by his children, Barbara Burns of Portsmouth, RI, Michael P. Burns and his wife Diane of Mesa, AZ, Susan Young and her husband Robert of Middletown, RI, William "Bill" P. Burns of Newport, RI, and Mary Burns of Middletown, RI, five grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Gertrude Burns, Barbara Burns, Margaret Yezuvkevicz, Francis Burns, Michael Burns, and Robert Burns. Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 28, 2014, from 4:00-7:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at 10:00am, from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00am, in Jesus Savior Church, Broadway, Newport. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery, Brown's Lane, Middletown.Donations in his memory may be made to the James L. Maher Center, PO Box 4390, Middletown, RI 02842 Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Chapel Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, Visitation APR 28. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service APR 29. 11:00 AM Jesus Savior Church Broadway at Vernon Ave Newport, RI, US, 02840