Mr. William Tellis "Tell" Burns

Mr. William Tellis "Tell" Burns, Sr., 86, joined his beloved wife, Erma, to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, April 27, 2007. He was born March 13, 1921 in Burke County, NC, and was a son of the late James Russell and Katie Icard Burns. In addition to his parents and wife, Erma Walker Burns, he was preceded in death by brothers, James Robert Wilford Burns, Everet Harly Burns, John Ellis Burns, and Finley Monroe Burns; and sisters, Ollie May Burns, Carrie Lee Burns Baird, Beulah Estelle Burns Moore, and Virginia Mearl Burns Hunneman. Tell was a US Navy veteran of World War II, and a lifetime member of Woodmen of the World. He was an active board member and retired fireman with the Triple Community Fire Department; a retired machinist and supervisor in the textile industry; and enjoyed gardening. Tell was a member and Deacon of Mount Home Baptist Church. Mr. Burns will be remembered for his honesty and integrity, his willingness to help others in their time of need, and his devotion to his Lord and Savior each day of his life.

Tell is survived by a son, William T. Burns, Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Drexel; a grandson, Bill; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Katie Sue Burns Barnes of Mooresville, NC; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, April 29, 2007 at Mount Home Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating. Entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum with military rites conducted by members of American Legion Post #234 in Valdese. The family will receive friends Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Home Baptist Church Graceful Giving Fund, 2272 Mount Home Church Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.