Willam R (Bill) Burr

August 11, 1928- March 24, 2020

Bill Burr, beloved father, grandfather, husband and friend passed away unexpectedly on March 24, 2020 at the age of 91, due to COVID-19. Born to Earl and Minnie Burr, Bill grew up in Hermon, a suburb of Los Angeles, the middle child between brothers Tom Beare and Bob Burr. After attending Los Angeles Pacific College, he found his way to Seattle when his basketball team traveled to the NW to compete with the SPC team. Bill returned to Seattle Pacific College as a Sophomore, where he met his future bride, Ruth Davis. He graduated with a BS in Physics in 1950. The next week he married Ruth; a true love match that lasted 62 years before her death in 2012. Bill is survived by his children, Ken, David and Judy Burr, his daughters in law, Shelley, Gail and Cheryl Burr, his 5 grandchildren, Carrie, Cameron, Catie, Alina and Matilda, 5 great grandchildren, and his current wife June Beckwith Burr.

Bill spent the first half of his adult life in Seattle, where he was an active member of First Free Methodist Church, and the Homebuilders Class. His career as a software engineer began in 1952 at Lockheed and began at Boeing as an engineer in 1954, a time when he described the company's leadership as "men admired for their outstanding reputations and great principles; the best of the best." (In this writer's opinion, Bill also lived by that example.) Although Bill worked on the first 707 jets, the first Boeing Computer center, and various defense contracts, he was most enthusiastic about his work on the Lunar Orbiter project when Boeing worked with NASA to send the first spacecraft around the moon in 1966/67. After retiring from Boeing after 37 years, he and Ruth moved to Stanwood, WA in 1991.

In Bill's second half of life he became a beloved member of the Warm Beach Senior Community, for nearly 30 years. Always loving a great adventure, Bill and Ruth traveled all over America in their RV's for 17 years, spending many winters as volunteers where they met other friends helping to develop Rancho Betania, a Christian camp in Mexico. They were part of the Haiti Medical Mission Team and Bill went on to help in the same way twice in Guatamala. Bill was one of the first volunteers at Warm Beach Camp to decorate 100' tall trees on a mechanical lift when stringing lights in preparation for "The Lights of Christmas," as well as a regular usher in the Warm Beach FM Church.

Always physically fit, jogging daily for 30 years; Bill climbed all of the mountain peaks in Washington State, and hiked many of its trails. A fierce competitor in sports, at age 89 was still one of the pickleball champs for his age group. He was also a prolific gardener and bird lover, known for his beautiful fuchsias and giant dahlia gardens, amidst several bird feeders.

After Ruth died, Bill fell in love again and married June Beckwith in 2013 at age 83. He spent his last 7 years loving her company as they cruised all over the world including an unforgettable trip around the Horn of South America, and delighting in the splendors of Bora Bora and the Solomon Islands.

However, what will be most remembered about Bill is how he lived out his Christian faith in community, and his undying loyalty to his family. A gracious and loving man, accepting all with open arms; Nvv kscdeever one to judge, but choosing only to live out love in the world he inhabited. The verse that best speaks to his example for the rest of us who knew and loved this gentle man is "Love one another as I have loved you."

A celebration of life will be held at a later date when public assembly is allowed. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Bill with a memorial donation to Warm Beach Camp. (warmbeach.com)