Mr. William David Burnham

David Burnham was born August 8, 1929, in Corsicana, Texas to William “Benjamin” Burnham and Ozell “Gladys” Burnham; the youngest of two children. He reached his 96th birthday on August 8th, 2025, passing away one day after.

David’s early years were spent with his family on the Mackay Ranch in Mildred, Texas with his father working in the oil fields. During high school, he met a young lady named Patsy Tyner who was working in her grandparents' grocery store in Corsicana, TX, and they immediately began seeing each other. That courtship was put on hold after David’s highs school graduation in 1946, when David begged his parents to let him join the United States Navy at the age of 17, during World War II.

His first deployment after basic training was to Adak, Alaska, part of the Aleutian Islands, and thus began his first career. After eighteen months in Alaska, he asked to be transferred "anywhere sunny", and was sent to Guam and the Philippines. Throughout his deployments, David still had his eye and thoughts on Patsy. He wrote her a letter asking her to marry him, and after a short bit she replied, “I will marry you in 52”. David transferred back stateside, married Patsy, and they moved to Kingsville, Texas where he finished his full-time Naval career, but stayed in the reserves; a total of 30 years of service with the United States Navy. He was an active veteran of three separate wars.

In 1959, David started working for the Trailways Transportation System, Inc. David and Patsy moved the family to Dallas where Trailways had regional operations. He loved his bus-driving career, especially the special request charters he would get asked to undertake. After 29 years of service, David received a distinguished Two Million Mile Safety Award for driving accident-free. Trailways had his name put on the side of a new Silver Eagle, and the next year he retired from Trailways after 30 years of service, formally ending his second career.

David's third career started when he obtained his private pilot’s license at the age of 50 in 1980. The business began with him owning, at one time, 8 single-engine Cessna aircraft and leasing them out to local flight schools. Over time, David made a business contract with Cessna, and he began to broker planes from Cessna to private buyers all over the United States and England.

David was a long-standing member of the Masonic Lodge for over 70 years, including being past Master Mason in the DeSoto Lodge and being awarded the Golden Trowel Award; this is considered the highest honor a Masonic Lodge can bestow upon an individual member, signifying lifetime achievement within the lodge.

David had other hobbies he loved, especially hunting and fishing with his son, David, and his grandson, Glen. They particularly enjoyed going to the Flying P Ranch.

David attended Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas with his wife, Patsy. After David's retirement, they both were able to enjoy participating in more church-based activities together. In his last years, on Wednesdays, they both would go to enjoy Senior Gameday, play dominoes, and revel in the fellowship between friends.

David is survived by his wife of 73 years Patsy Burnham; his two sons David Burnham, son Dan Burnham and wife Judie Burnham. David is also survived by four grandchildren Jennifer Owens, husband Chris Owens, Glen Burnham, wife Estrellita “Star” Burnham, Julia Burnham, Jared Burnham, and four great grandchildren, Tristen Owens, Emma Burnham, Mila Burnham, and Layla Burnham

A private family service will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Dallas, TX on Saturday, August 16th, 2025 at 12 PM. An interment will follow on Monday, August 18th, 2025 at Laurel Land Memorial Park in Dallas, TX.