William ''Bill'' O. Burris, Jr.

BURRIS JR., William (Bill) O., age 80, longtime resident of Blount County, passed away Friday, June 1, 2007, at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was born in Tellico Plains, served in the U. S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church; an active member of the Democratic Party; a 32nd Degree Mason and 50 Year member of New Providence Lodge #128; an active Shriner serving as Paper Sale Chairman, and 50 year member of American Legion Post #13. His professional career included owner and operator of Burris Pulpwood; Assistant Tennessee Commissioner of Conservation under Gov. Frank Clement; Manager of South Blount Utilities; Broker and owner of Burris Realty, and, at the time of death, Investigator for Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. He was preceded in death by his parents, William O. Burris, Sr. and Opha Shell Burris; brother, J. D. Burris; sister, Bobbie Frances Heidel. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jennie Fiorilli Burris; daughter, Virginia Milligan of Maryville; son and daughter-in-law, William O. Burris, III and Betty Jane; grandsons, Dr. Gerry Milligan, New York; Major Bradford Burris, Ft. Bragg, NC; Blake Burris, Asheville, NC; Barton Burris, Johnson City, TN; and many very special nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Childress officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. Sunday at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vanderbilt Medical School Research, 1211 22nd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232 or a charity of choice. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com