Billy Burns
February 10, 2019
On March 19, 1942 Billy Eugene Burns was born to Freda M. See and Robert C. Burns on their farm in Peru, IA. He was the youngest of four children. He grew up in Truro, IA where he attended school and became an accomplished athlete. This is where he met and married his former wife, Sharon Mease. Two children were born to them, Becki Sue and Julie Ann. Bill, as he was known in his adult years, was a salesman with high ideals and the desire to help others succeed with him. He was a longtime and well-known vendor at the Des Moines Downtown Farmer’s Market. With his partner Cinda Yates they extended their market business to a boutique, Cottage By the Creek. He was a man filled with love who shared good words with everyone he met. His motto, “Keep Playing,” he did to the very end.
His life on earth ended after a hard fought battle with cancer on Sunday, February 10, 2019, surrounded by family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bob, his brother-in-law Chuck Traster and nephew Rod Leggett. Those left to survive and cherish his life and memory are his daughters, Becki (Sean) Sullivan and Julie (Mike) Lubbe. His partner and best friend Cinda Yates, who tirelessly cared for him with so much tenderness and love until the very end. Four grandchildren Staci (Cory) Allison, Sean M. Sullivan, Emily Lubbe (fiancé Tim Daniels), Brett Lubbe (fiancéé Sarah Neumann), great-granddaughters Lily Ann, Ellanore, and Catelyn Allison. His bonus family, Cinda’s daughter Kathleen Shinn, her children, Jonathan, Hannah Turner and Garrett, Daleaney Shinn and grandchildren Layden and Kyra Turner. As well as his former wife Sharon Burns, sisters Barbara Traster and Linda (Merv) Bommel, many dear nieces, nephews and special friends.
Services and a celebration of Bill’s great life will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a memorial service to begin at 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to the family.
Condolences may be expressed online at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mark & Claudia VanDeSluis
02/15/2019
Claudia: Bill is such an awesome person! I loved sitting by Bill at the Saydel Little League baseball games cheering on our team! We would always make it a point to buy each other a bag of popcorn, that was so much fun!
Mark: I always enjoyed talking baseball and coaching strategies with Bill. Bill always encouraged our players from his seat behind the home plate. I had a lot of respect for Bill, and considered him a good friend!
Mark, Claudia, Morgan, Collin & Mallory VanDerSluis
Joanne See Howell
02/15/2019
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Bill was one of my favorite cousins growing up.
Joann Moran
02/14/2019
Bill was very kind man I met him while shopping at Cottage by the Creek he always remembered our names. Rest in peace my friend.
Jeannette Lose
02/14/2019
Sympathy and prayers for all of Bills family.
Bonnie O'Neal
02/13/2019
I will miss Bill so much when I shop at Cottage by the Creek. He was so caring and such a wonderful person.
Kathy Schreck
02/13/2019
Bill was as nice as the day is long.
I will miss him dearly
Mary Shortell and Will McKnight
02/13/2019
There is not enough room to write all the wonderful words to define this man. He definitely had a zest for life and many many words of wisdom. He will be missed by many.
Kimberley Jackman
02/12/2019
Bill was an AMAZING man, FULL of LOVE, FUN and JOY!! He cared about so many. He gave a smile everywhere you turned and had the biggest heart ever! We LOVE Bill and his "people". He gave so MUCH positivity to the World!. "THE WAY YOU PRACTICE TODAY IS THE WAY YOU PLAY TOMORROW."
We LOVE You Bill!
~Kimberley, Seair & Skyland