Obituary - William F. Burney

Wednesday, November 21, 2001
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Former Juneau resident William Frank "Bill" Burney died Nov. 10, 2001, at his home in Anchorage.

He was born June 1, 1958, in Minneapolis and moved to Juneau in 1959. He graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School and completed one year of college before moving to Anchorage in 1976. While at the Seward Skill Center he received an award for saving the life of his lifetime friend, David Warner.

Burney worked in the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay for Dolphin, Dantex, Nabors Alaska and Alaska United Drilling. He was employed as a roustabout before becoming a roughneck. He also commercially fished.

He was an avid outdoorsman; he especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and clamming.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Maki, Haines; stepfather Ace Burney, Anchorage; and father-in-law Walter LeeRoy Wariner, Anchorage.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Phyllis Vianna Burney; daughters Julia V. and Melady A. Burney; foster son Ramoan Lastra Burney, all of Anchorage; mother Beth Crawford, Juneau; mother-in-law Norma Wariner, Anchorage; brother Edward Maki, Juneau; sister April Roth, Granby, Conn.; brothers David Burney and James Wanamaker, Anchorage; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

A celebration of Burney's life was held on Nov. 14 at his home in Anchorage. Memorial contributions may be directed to Phyllis Burney, 3617 E. 65th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99507.

---