Ralph Burns, William

William Ralph Burns, 55, of Land-O-Lakes, Florida, (formerly of Trumansburg), passed away unexpectedly in Florida on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Born on February 9, 1949 in Ithaca, New York, Bill was the son of the late Ralph Burns and Ruth E. Jones Burns of Trumansburg.

Following graduation from Trumansburg High School in 1967, Bill attended Stoney Brook University in Long Island. He worked in local P & C stores as a produce manager in the Trumansburg-Ithaca area and later owned and operated a successful Pepperidge Farm franchise in the same area before moving to Land-O-Lakes, Florida.

In Florida, Bill worked for Freight Force with offices in Tampa.

Bill was a sports enthusiast and some of his happiest times were when playing on a variety of teams in Trumansburg and Ithaca area softball leagues. Bill had an infectious enthusiasm for sports of all kinds, most recently in support of the Tampa Bay Buckaneers. He was a loyal fan who attended every home game possible with his many friends. This kind of competitive excitement stayed with him his entire life.

Billy's outgoing personality and amicable spirit endeared him to everyone he came in contact with. His quick wit, his animated way of recalling a story and his passion for life will be missed very much by his family, friends, and daily customers.

Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Myra and his father, Ralph. In addition to his mother, Ruth E. Jones Burns of Trumansburg, he is survived by a sister, Barbara A. (Tom) Wright of Trumansburg; three brothers, Jeffrey A. (Sondra) Burns of Interlaken, Thomas E. (Doreen) Burns of Lodi and John F. Burns of Springfield, NJ and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 19, 2004 at 4:00 pm with the Rev. Robyn Wernham officiating. Prayers of Committal will follow at the Grove Cemetery.

Those who wish to make a contribution in Bill's memory are asked to consider the Trumansburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 628, Trumansburg, NY 14886.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. 1-888-534-5446.