William C. Burns

The world is a much better place for the life of William C Burns. William Casey Burns (Bill) passed away at his home surrounded by family on November 20, 2024. Bill was born in Hartford City, Indiana on April 13, 1933, to the late William A. and Mary (née Casey) Burns.

His compassion and generosity to the downtrodden (both human and animal) and his sense of humor were two of his defining qualities. Bill became the first in his family to attend Culver. He graduated in 1951 from the Summer Naval School and began a family tradition that carries on to this day.

Bill graduated from Indiana University and entered IU law school. In 1957 he received is JD from Indiana and took his place on the Indiana Bar.

Bill met the love of his life, Libby at IU. They married on December 28, 1957, and moved to the Lafayette area to build a family together.

He served in the US Army and in the Army Reserve. He built a successful law practice in Lafayette and served as president of the Tippecanoe County Bar Association.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Libby, his sisters, Julia and Martha and his brother Jack.

He is survived by their children, Julia, Patricia (partner Mark Linden), Mary (husband Jeff Nugent), Tom (wife Karen), Minta, Angela, and John (partner Craig Gray); and his grandchildren, Mar Nugent and Ava Burns.

Visitation will be Monday, November 25, 2024, at 9:30 am (rosary service at 10:30 am) followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. All events will be at Saint Mary Cathedral, 1207 South Street, Lafayette, IN.

After the funeral mass Bill will be interred at St. Mary’s cemetery at 2122 Old Romney Rd, Lafayette, IN.