William R. Burns, 72, of Ewing Township, died Thursday at Compassionate Care Hospice at St. Francis Medical Center.

Born in Trenton, he was a life long area resident.

Mr. Burns retired after thirty-one years as a salesman and truck driver for Lance, Inc.

Bill was an Honorably Discharged veteran from the U.S. Army Reserve.

He was a life member of the Signal # 22 and the Mercer County Fireman's Association.

Son of the late John E. Burns Sr. and Alice Pitman Burns, he is survived by two brothers John E. Burns Jr., and George Preston, and a sister Martha Burns. Also surviving are two nieces, four nephews, several nieces and nephews, and cousins, and his friends at Signal #22.

A Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 AM at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 1620 Prospect Street in Ewing Township.

Burial will be in Ewing Church Cemetery.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill's name may be made to Signal # 22, 1005 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611.