I fondly remember working with Bill on his telescope business. He was a friendly guy, always welcoming and willing to lend a helping hand. I lost touch with Bill about 15 years ago. I've often wondered how he was. I was saddened to hear about him passing.

I just learned of the passing of Bill. My encounters with Bill were few, but I was so impressed with his warmth and ability to talk about highly technical aspects of astronomy with simplicity. I own and have thoroughly enjoyed using an eyepiece made by Bill and purchased at a Tennessee Star Party at Fall Creek Falls sometime between 2005-2010. My sincere condolences for your loss. 


So sorry.  Found out about Bill’s passing today.  A wonderful person who brought such exuberance to the astronomical hobby.   He will never be forgotten.
George Saar

Tammy, we recently learned of Bill’s passing & just can’t believe it. He was such a big-hearted guy and was so welcoming to our family when Kelly & I brought Emma back home from Virginia. We treasure those memories in his & Link’s class at Grace BC!  
Our hearts go out to you and your family & our prayers are with you all!

Kert & Kelly Parks

Tammy and family, today is July 21st,  and I am just hearing about Bill’s passing.  I was shocked at the news,  I am so sorry,  and know he will be missed greatly.  He had a great impact on many lives, including my own.  I learned a lot from him, especially about how to love  the Lord.  He loved the Lord dearly, and is loving every moment he is spending with Jesus now and for eternity. He was a dear brother.   I hope you find comfort in knowing this, and look forward to seeing him again.  

My sweet friend, Rhonda just told me about Bill having another stroke and passing away yesterday. 
My heart goes out to you and your family! 
I know how this feels firsthand. 
Please know that we will be praying for you all to be held by God’s comforting hands and to feel his loving presence all around you as you walk through this time of loss & grief.
I love you Tammy! 💗


Dear Tammy, I can't imagine what all you have endured these past days, months, and years. I pray a wonderful peace that passes all human understanding for you and your family. We all know that Bill is worshipping with our Heavenly Father now and what a comfort it must be to know that!  The love Bill showed for our Lord Jesus and anyone in his path was very evident. Bill was a great disciple of Christ and wanted all to know Him.  Tammy, you have been a wonderful wife, helpmate, and devoted mother to him and your children and grands! You are in our prayers as you transition in life without the love of your life but what Blessed Hope we have to know we will see him again soon and what joy it will be to forever be in God’s presence! We love you and are praying for you! ❤️🙏🏻
Barbara Carmichael 


Tammy, you & your family have been our prayers. I'm so glad I got to meet the two of you. I'll never forget Bill's reaction when he saw the lake was higher than the roads.  God's blessings on all of you.  Love, Barbara & George Dyer

John,
Sending my heartfelt prayers to you and Gay and your family. In JESUS we are joyful your son Bill has gone home; tho sadness envelopes us,  at the prospect of not still being able to enjoy his presence. "When one cries, it shows endearment and just how precious Bill was in the lives of those who loved and knew him. Give Gay a hug from me, and let her know as Mom's; we feel a mother's morning.....sending my love and prayers your way. Agape, Nora 🫂💕🕊️



We (SMAS members) had great times making Telescopes for Kids with Bill and his wife too many years ago.

(Forrest) Lee Erickson

Bill and Tammy were invited to attend our meetings for the Knoxville Observers Astronomy Club on numerous occasions. Bill was without a doubt one of the best “salesmen” I have ever encountered. He once told me he had an eyepiece filter so powerful it would allow you to see the cloud bands on the moons of Jupiter. I bought the filter just because his presentation was so eloquent . He had the heart of an inventor and the mind of an entrepreneur. My collection of Burgess eyepieces will forever remind me of his contribution to and passion for the love of astronomy. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Godspeed my friend!


Bill was one of the smartest people I've known. Those that knew Bill and worked with him have a real void in their lives with his passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tammy and the family. 


Carl and Judy McMahan
Cleveland, TN

Bill was a close friend. He had an uniquely exuberant personality. In many ways his excitement for astronomy , its related optics and those who participate in it , was larger than life. Early on, many of the things he envisioned providing folks interested in the heavens that seemed so out of reach, are now common place. He was always generous and gave freely of himself without hesitation. I count myself blessed and honored to know him and Tammy. I will forever see Bill  amongst the stars he loved so much whenever I look upwards.

I am so very sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences. I bought three pair of the Burgess TMB eyepieces, the 9mm, 7mm, and 5mm, for my then-new binoviewer. They were outstanding. He will be long remembered.

Bill was a huge foundation stone in the amateur astronomy realm! Seems like he was always pioneering some new telescope or line of eyepieces to help, always in a unique way, to connect us with the heavens we all adore so much! I still have some of his eyepieces, and will cherish them, and think of him as I view the stars through them, and I hope one day, standing amongst those same stars, to shake his hand!

OBITUARY

William Charles Burgess

October 17, 1962 – May 26, 2022

Weaver Funeral Home

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