William E. (Bill) Burns, 74, of Lafayette, died at 7:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis.

He was born Aug. 4, 1937 in Princeton, Ind., to William Burns and Aileen (Ashby) Burns Jackson, now deceased.

He received his bachelors and masters degrees from Purdue University.

On Aug. 4, 1956, he married Mary Deen in Oakland City, and she survives.

Bill was a science teacher at Tecumseh Jr High School for 40 years, receiving a Teacher of the Year award, before retiring in 1999.

While at Tecumseh, he coached football and track. He also taught driver education at Jefferson High School. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and Retired Teachers Association and served on several education committees. Bill enjoyed fishing, golf, and collecting and listening to music. He also enjoyed meeting regularly for coffee with his fellow retirees.

Surviving along with his wife are a daughter DeAnne Kinsey (husband Jim) of Noblesville, a son William Jeffrey (Jeff) Burns (wife Tessa) of Fredericksburg, Texas, a step brother George Jackson (wife Sue) of Texas and six grandsons, Daniel (wife Kari) and William (Wil) Kinsey, Jarred, Tyler William, Dyllan and Andrew Burns. He was preceded in death by a step-sister Jacqueline Head.

Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. with the funeral service starting at 5 p.m. Friday Feb. 10, 2012, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd, Lafayette, IN 47909 with Rev. Kevin Bowers officiating.

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb.11, 2012, at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Winslow, with Rev Dr James W. Witty Jr officiating.