October 19, 1922 – December 5, 2020
William “Bill” R. Burns of Reading & Kennebunkport, Maine, formerly of Malden passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 5, 2020 after a brief illness. He was 98 years of age.
Bill was born on October 19, 1922. He attended Malden Public Schools, graduating from Malden High School. Following high school, Bill attended Wentworth Institute. He worked for 38 years at MIT’s Lincoln Labs as a Technician. He proudly defended our freedom by serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Bill is a former Reading Town Meeting member and a member of the Knights of Columbus and VFW.
Bill is the husband of the late Barbara Anne (Lakeman). He is the beloved father of Andrew C. Burns and his wife Dawn and Chief Gregory J. Burns R.F.D. and his wife Jane. The grandfather of Patrick, Christopher, Robert, Shelby, Jillian, and Timothy, Bill is the great-grandfather of Jake and Christian. He is the brother of Louise Fiore, and the late Joseph E. and John T. Burns Jr. Bill is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. He is the loving companion of the late Fran Paul.
A Funeral Mass Celebrating Bill’s Eternal Life will be held on Wednesday, December 9th at 12pm in Saint Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St. READING. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Bill’s Family prior to the Funeral Mass from 10:30am to 11:30am in the Doherty-Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden St. READING. Parking attendants and elevator available. Per MA regulations, face coverings must be worn while at the Funeral Home and not more than 40% capacity will be allowed in the Funeral Home at one time. Interment Wood End Cemetery, Reading.
Please honor Bill by making donations in his memory to the Reading Food Pantry, 6 Salem St. Reading, MA 01867.
