Bill Burns

Bill Burns, 62, went home to be with the Lord Aug. 22, 2013, surrounded by loved ones at St. Elias Hospital in Anchorage.

He was born Dec. 12, 1950, in Newburg, Mo., to Daniel Isaac Burns and Iris Elizabeth Funke Burns.

He grew up on R&M Farms in Foristell, Mo., and attended school in Wright City.

On May 5, 1973, he married the love of his life, Linda Lue (Lulu) Laramore. Together they had many great adventures, including raising three amazing daughters, Lindy, Dee Dee and Shasta.

Bill was a truck driver, “the world’s best backer upper.”

In 1974, they moved to Sheridan, Wyo., for a year. During that time Bill helped drive cows down off of his beloved Big Horn Mountains. They moved back to Missouri in 1975, residing in the Warrenton area until 1982, when they moved the family to Clearmont, Wyo. In 1986, they spent a few months in Missouri before heading to Alaska. They resided in the Wasilla area, where they owned Bill’s Flea Market until 1988. Then they headed off on another adventure in a 22-foot riverboat that Bill named “The Linda Lue.” They spent that summer on the Susitna, Deshka, Yetna and Skwentna rivers.

In the fall of 1988, they moved to the Talkeetna area and could often be found at the Big Su Lodge. They also acquired the Broken Ulu Ranch, where they raised potatoes and carrots. Bill loved being a farmer. In 1996, they moved to New Florence, Mo., where Bill drove dump truck for Richard Mertens. In 1997, Bill started delivering travel trailers across the United States. In 2000, they bought another truck and Linda joined him on the road. Together they hauled trailers to 49 states. In 2004, they moved back to Alaska where they helped run the Big Su Restaurant. Bill’s last place of employment was Alaska Resource Group. In 2008, Bill sustained a serious back injury that left him paralyzed. He fought a good fight for five years until succumbing to lung disease.

Bill was an honest, hard-working man who made good friends everywhere he went. Bill had no idea just how deeply he touched so many lives. I don’t think he ever met a kid that didn’t love him. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, papa, son, brother and friend. He loved his family and friends with all his heart.

Bill received Christ as his savior at Talkeetna Baptist Church on Feb. 20, 2013.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Linda; kids, Lindy (Cory) Bainbridge, Dee Dee (Doug) Jordan of Missouri, Shasta (Max) Bettes; his furry son, Wishbone of Alaska; grandkids, Lillie, Heidi, Douglas, Will, Amy and Adam of Missouri, and Branden, Ethan and Emmalee of Alaska; great-grandchildren, Kyndra and Xavier of Missouri; siblings, Bud (Judy) Kraft, George (Wanda) Kraft, Johnny (Pam) Kraft, Danny (Sherry) Burns, David (Linda) Burns, Becky (Jim) Hogue all of Missouri; many nieces and nephews and his “family of the Heart,” you all know who you are.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Wes Hudson and family, Brother Shannon Hill and family and also to Momma Jo for being with us until the end. We appreciate all the love and prayers that we received during this difficult time.

Preceding him in death was his granddaughter, Summer Fawn Schumacher; his parents; his beloved Granny, Amy Funke; and many great friends.

Memorial services for Bill are at 1 p.m., Sept. 1 at Graham Cave State Park in Danville, Mo.; Sept. 8 at Little Goose Park in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming; and at Talkeetna Baptist Church at a later date.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Cremation Society of Alaska. Words of comfort may be shared with the family online at alaskacremation.com.