Horace William Burgess, Jr.

He was born in Hilo, Hawaii; graduated from Punahou High School in Honolulu, Class of '78, and University of California at Berkeley. In a relatively short career as a stockbroker, his analytic skill and careful investing endowed him with the wherewithal to pursue his passion for surfing and the high-risk and highly beautiful world of rock climbing. Along with his courage and athleticism, Bill was also a talented writer and artist.

Beset by an illness in recent years, he faced the classic question asked by Hamlet, and chose not to be. As Shakespeare might have said if he had known Bill, "Good night sweet prince. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Bill is survived by his father H. William Burgess and his stepmother Sandra Puanani Burgess of Honolulu, his sisters, Liza Frampton of San Diego and Becky Love of Oklahoma City, his brother Tim Burgess of Honolulu, his step-brother Toti Manhan of Honolulu, his aunt Anne Burgess of Blowing Rock, N.C. and his nieces and nephews Kalli and Kate Frampton and Francie, Thomas and David Love of Oklahoma City. Bill's mother, Frances Searle Burgess Kessee of Oklahoma City predeceased him.

Bill is also survived by his "Hanai" family (In the Hawaiian tradition of informally adopted children): The Levy family of Manhattan Beach of which Bill was a beloved member for most of his three decades in California; Mark and Debbie Levy and their children Noah and Caleb and Mark's Brother Derek Levy and their father Sol Levy, all of Manhattan Beach.

Bill's ashes will be sprinkled from the top of "Gunsmoke" at Joshua Tree on Friday October 30 at about mid morning. His climbing buddies and friends are invited.

On Saturday, October 31st an informal memorial for Bill will be held at 32nd Street in Manhattan Beach at 11am. Food, drink, chairs and shade will be provided. Pictures of Bill in happy times will be on display. A few songs might be sung. There will likely be a "paddle - out" (on surfboards) to place flowers and prayers in the sea in memory of Bill. His climbing buddies and friends are invited.

Please use this website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the families messages and to share memories.