William A. “Bill” Burnett, Jr., 82, St. Paul, died Thursday, June 10, 2010, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.

He was born Sept. 7, 1927, in rural St. Paul, to William A. Burnett and Ethel Ida Schornick Burnett.

As a young boy, he grew up in rural St. Paul where he attended schools and later attended St. Paul High School.

For a time, he worked for the M-K-T Railroad before entering the United States Army where he served during World War II from December 1945 through January 1947.

Following his honorable discharge, he returned to St. Paul where he farmed and worked for Kansas Gas Service for 35 years.

He was a member of the George L. Hendricks American Legion Post No. 102 in Erie for 35 years.

Following retirement, he especially enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

He and Mazie Brenner were married Dec. 21, 1947, in Galesburg. She preceded him in death on Feb. 2, 2005.

Survivors include two sons, Leo Burnett and wife, Gena, Erie, Jesse Burnett and wife, Debbie, Erie; a daughter, Gwen Lester, South Mound; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, one sister; a daughter, Joyce Kay Showalter, and son-in-law, Charlie Showalter, in January, 1990.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, at South Mound Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. this evening at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Southern Care Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.