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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Burks, William R.
William R. Burks, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, June 6, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, following a massive stroke. Private family inurnment will be held at St. John's Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. The Cremation Society of Eastern Iowa is assisting the family.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Burks of Cedar Rapids; and children, Pat Baumgard of Cedar Rapids, Barb (Linn) Wiley of Shellsburg, Linda Thompson of Palo, and Bill (Tamie Pohlman) Burks of Vinton.
Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two nephews, three nieces and a sister-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Agnes and Ray Ehda; a son-in-law, Paul Thompson; seven sisters; and a brother.
William R. Burks was born March 26, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Ward and Laura (O'Burk) Burks. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. William was aboard U.S.S. Mount Olympus and proudly served on the Byrd Expedition in Antarctic. On Oct. 30, 1951, he married Patricia Ehda at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. William worked at FMC Corporation until his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, spending time with family, tinkering in his shed and enjoying leisure time on his front porch. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the V.F.W. Post No. 788, Cedar Rapids.
He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him.
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