William R. "Bill" Burns

EWING TOWNSHIP - William R. Burns, 72, of Ewing Township died Thursday at Compassionate Care Hospice at St. Francis Medical Center. Born in Trenton, Mr. Burns was a lifelong area resident. He retired after 31 years as a salesman and truck driver for Lance, Inc. Bill was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. He was a life member of the Signal No. 22 and the Mercer County Firemen'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 grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and cousins, and his friends at Signal No. 22. A Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 1620 Prospect St., Ewing Township. Burial will be in Ewing Church Cemetery. Family and friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, www.poulsonvanhise .com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill's name may be made to Signal No. 22, 1005 S. Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ 08611.