William “Bill” Paul Burney, 95, of Greensboro, NC, went home peacefully to be with the Lord on April 26, 2021. Paul was born March 15, 1926 in Elkton, Bladen County, NC, to Archibald Strange Burney and Agnes Catherine Maultsby. Upon his father’s death in 1928, Paul was placed in the Presbyterian Orphan’s Home, Barium Springs, NC. There he was reared in a Christian environment until he graduated from Barium Springs High School.
Paul then enrolled in Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on a football scholarship. He left college to join the USAAF and served in the Philippines and Japan. Upon honorable discharge, Paul enrolled at NC State University where he graduated with high honors in 1953 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Following college, Paul worked for AT&T’s Western Electric Government Systems Division as an engineer. In June 1954, he married Norma Williams Martin and together they had two children. He retired in 1989 after 36 years of service. In retirement, Paul enjoyed competitive roller skating, walking, and gardening. Following the death of his first wife, he married Betty Jean Sloop Harris in December 1990. Together, they enjoyed traveling and researching the genealogy of their families.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and sister, Dorothy Lucille Burney Baird. He is survived by his wife Betty, 2 children, John Martin Burney (Jackie) of Greensboro, and Paula Irene Burney Hoeger (Jim) of Greensboro, 2 stepchildren, Wanda Jean Harris Beason of Greensboro, and William Jeffrey (Jeff) Harris (Justina) of Monroeville, AL, 5 grandchildren, Catherine Elizabeth Hoeger Freeze (Thomas), Graham, NC, Jennifer Kristin Beason Strader (Wayne), Hardy, VA, Heather Denise Beason Hall, Greensboro, NC, Gary Daniel Harris (Colbie), Monroeville, AL, and Amy Sara Harris Dees (Ryan), Monroeville, AL, 7 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
The family is being assisted by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services of Greensboro. A private family gathering will be held on Wednesday, April 28, followed by burial at Lakeview Memorial Park in Greensboro. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Greensboro or other worthwhile charities.
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