William Woodrow Burns

William Woodrow Burns, 88, of Montpelier passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on Feb. 19, 1937, to Charles and Genevieve (Dudziak) Burns Sr. On July 8, 1978, he married Dorothy Shadel in Melvindale, Michigan, and she preceded him in death.

He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served for 13 years reaching the rank of ADR3 (pay grade E-4) he was an aircraft mechanic. After the military he began working at Great Lakes Steel in Detroit, Michigan. He also served as a security guard at Detroit Metro Airport, Spangler's Candy Company in Bryan, Lake Seneca security rural Montpelier and Angola High School in Angola where everybody knew him as Guido! He worked hard all of his life, up until the age of 65.

His interests were music; especially Elvis! He loved to play drums while he listened to his favorite music. William loved family get togethers/cookouts and enjoyrd playing horseshoes or cornhole. He also loved to play Dice and card games such as euchre and rummy. He also loved sports especially boxing, his nephew Robert Alexander is a professional ring announcer for the Florida boxing association so he was always looking forward to spot him on TV and announcing/introducing the fighters!

William was in a bowling league for several years and loved spending time with his teammates bowling in tournaments. He loved to swim and have fun at the beach with family and friends. He was an athlete in high school and was very good at football. He was really proud of his youth and he loved to talk about it often.

William was actively donating to the DAV and the American Legion and was very proud of his accomplishments while he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a very kind soul and would comfort anyone who needed it. Incredibly intelligent and was a good source for advice no matter what it was about.

William is survived by his brother Charles (Lucy) Burns of Inkster, Michigan; son, Timothy Burns; daughter, Michelle Burns; both of the state of Maine; Krissy (Corey) Horvath of Brownstown, Michigan, Donna Shiffler of Hillsdale, Michigan, David (Angela) Shadel of Montpelier, Charles (Violet) Grime of Auburn, Indiana, and Joseph Grime of Florida; 15 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Dorothy; parents; and sisters, Nancy Pesta and Gloria Alexander.

A time to receive friends will be on Monday, July 21, from 3-6 p.m. at The Thompson Funeral Home in Pioneer. A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Rick Stiver to officiate. Military Rites will be provided by the Pioneer Veterans. Memorial contributions may be given to Williams County DAV or Bryan American Legion. Condolences can be left for the family at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com.