William "Bill" E. Burrus Jr.

William E. “Bill" Burrus passed away July 7, 2020 at the age of 94. He boarded his chariot wearing his famous Lady Bug blazer to meet Jesus. Heaven just got a little brighter. Bill was drafted out of his senior year at West End High School and within months was part of the Battle of the Bulge. Returning home, Bill attended the University of Alabama before beginning his career, 13 years with Dale Carnegie and over 50 years in the insurance and financial planning industry. In 1978, Bill hired Shirley Brown Hawk. This began a working relationship that lasted 40 years until her passing in 2018. With Bill as the salesman and Shirley as the Girl Friday, they built Burrus & Associates into a very successful business, and along the way developed a lifelong friendship. In 2010, at the age of 84, Bill began a joint venture with Joel McGriff forming The McGriff Burrus Alliance, of which he was still active until a few months ago. His positivity and love of country were incredible, and his pep talks to clients, associates, friends and family were legendary. No one left Bill without a smile and in a better frame of mind.

Bill was past Chairman of the Alabama Eye bank, and for over a decade was Chairman of the Board of Sight Savers America. His actions allowed many children to have the gift of sight. He is and was revered and loved by its CEO, Board of Directors and staff. He was lifetime member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, past Chairman of the Salvation Army in Shelby County, past District Governor of the Lions Club, a member of the Birmingham Aero Club, and the Inverness Country Club. Bill loved to fly, play golf and dance and was known for dancing with every lady in the room-always.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edith Burrus, his sisters, Ruth Estes (Cliff) and Edith Brown (Erskine), his brother Charles Burrus, his sons, Bill Burrus, III, and David Burrus and his grandson, Stephen Christopher Lucas. He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Ercelle, his daughter, Laura Lucas (John), his son Danny Burrus (Cece), his daughter-in-law Christi Burrus McQueen (Mickey), 14 grandchildren, Maretta Ashford (David), Catherine Agricola (Taylor), Allison Leaver (Ben), Abby Lucas, Ryan Burrus, Stephanie Burrus, Caitlyn Burrus, Tyler Burrus (Brittany), Leah Burrus, Adam Burrus, Jonathan Burrus (Keri), Samantha Pate (Eric) and Blake Scozzaro (Giovanna), 16 great-grandchildren, Brannen, Andrew, Mason and Charlie Ashford, Stephen, John and Ann Agricola, Trafton and Eady Leaver, Andrew, Jayce and Breanna Burrus, Maddi and Brooks Pate, and Gabriel and Jonah Scozarro, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved Cavalier Spaniel, Charlie.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude for Bill’s special caregivers over the last year and a half. Their love and compassion kept his spirits high and gave the family much needed rest and peace of mind.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 14th at 11:00 am at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, Al 35242. Visitation will be at 10:00 am prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery immediately following.

Social distancing and masks will be required.

It was Bill’s wish that, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to: Sight Savers America, 337 Business Circle, Pelham, AL, 35124

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, Al. Condolences and fond memories may be shared at ridoutsvalleychapel.com.