E. Burgess

Coal Valley, Illinois
William Burgess, 87, of Coal Valley, died Thursday, May 14, 2009, in Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island.
Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Robert Hagen officiating. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Coal Valley. Burial is in Coal Valley Cemetery, where the American Legion Post #246, Moline, will present military honors. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3727 Blackhawk Road Suite 101, Rock Island, Illinois, 61201, or the Lutheran Hour Ministries.
William Earl Burgess was born July 16, 1921, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Earl N. and Laura E. (Kraklow) Burgess. He married Mary Jane Sievers on June 27, 1940, in Coal Valley. He served in the Navy during World War II, serving in the South Pacific and the Philippines.
Bill worked for the United States Postal Service as a carrier for 36 years, retiring in 1982. Previously he worked for American Machine & Metals in East Moline as a toolmaker for six years.
He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities. He served on the board and was Scout Master for the Boy Scouts for many years at Arrowhead Ranch, which was very important to him. He was a member and former officer for the Rural Letter Carriers Association. He enjoyed reading and music.
Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, grandchildren, Belinda Burgess, Bridget and Adam Eakins of Grapevine, Texas, and William and Ana Keenan of Denver, Colorado, and great-grandchildren, James Keenan, Katie and Randall Eakins. He was preceded in death by a son, William Burgess, Jr., a daughter, Ellen Keenan, and a sister, Bette Johnson.
The family invites you to share memories and condolences and light a candle in Bill?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.