Obituary of Willie Ernest Burns

Willie E. Burns, age 80 of Iowa City died Sunday, February 14, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Private family funeral services will be held at 12:30 pm Saturday, February 27, 2021, at the Church of the Nazarene in Iowa City, with burial open to the public to follow at Oakland Cemetery. There will be visitation on Friday from 4 to 7 pm at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service and one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church for the public. Willie's funeral service will be livestreamed for extended family and friends to watch. Please share your support and memories with Willie's family and find a link to the livestream details on his Livestream Link at www.gayandciha.com under obituaries. Willie Ernest Burns was born October 19, 1940 in Sunflower, Mississippi, the son of J.A. and Lula Mae (Thomas) Burns. He was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Moore on December 31, 1994, after many years of courtship, kids and life! He worked for many years for the American Meat Packing Company in Chicago where the family made their home for years. In 2002 they moved to Iowa City where he has enjoyed his retirement doing the things he loved. Simply living enjoying his fishing, wearing cowboy boots, listening to the Blues, watching westerns, playing the lottery, going to the racetrack, always finding time and stomach for a good home cooked meal, but by far the most important part of Willie’s life was his family and dear friends! His family includes his wife, Shirley; son Reginald Howard (Stacy) Daughters: Latasha Anderson (Detre), Nekeya (Bright), Destiny Burns (AJ), and 15 grandchildren 6 great- grandchildren; siblings, Pearl Terry, Lonzell Burns and John Burns(Rae); in-laws Dave Roberson, Wardell Ollie and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Sharon; siblings, Katie Lynn Ollie, J.A. Burns Jr., Mary, and Earline Roberson.