William J. Burns

William Joseph Burns, formerly of Rockville, MD, passed away in Louisville, KY on September 13, 2010. He was 91.

Mr. Burns was born in The Bronx, New York. He began his long career in transportation in 1941 with Sperry Gyroscope Co. He joined the Army in 1943 and quickly rose to lead inland and ocean transportation in post-war Europe for the military government of Germany. After retiring as a colonel, he joined the commercial sector, eventually becoming Vice President of Tri-State Motor Transit Corp.

Well known for his command of military transportation policy and the ways of Capitol Hill, Mr. Burns was appointed in 1971 by President Richard Nixon to the position of Director, Office of Hazardous Materials, Department of Transportation. He held several executive positions at DOT until his retirement in 1981. He remained active in "retirement." As the first director of the Munitions Carrier Conference (formed in 1952), he was contacted to again serve his country during Operation Desert Storm. He was credited with organizing strategic logistical munitions transportation support for that highly successful operation, which led to an invitation to the White House of President George H. Bush. In 2003, Mr. Burns was formally inducted in to the Army Transportation Corps Hall of Fame at Fort Eustis, VA, a source of great pride to his family. His later years were spent enjoying East Coast travels and the company of his wife, son, daughter, and grandchildren.

Mr. Burns is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Catherine (Kaye) Burns; his daughter Barbara Andrew; his son Steve (Sylvia), six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Mass of celebration will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2010 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 212 Mount Mercy Drive, Pewee Valley with interment in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday at Newcomer Funeral Home, 235 Juneau Drive in Louisville. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.