Obit: Burgess, William (1925? – 2009)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Burgess, Hewitt, Skooglun, Oreskovich, Nevala, Brown, Lindberg

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) March 11, 2009

Burgess, William “Bill” (1925? – 7 March 2009) With Flag

William “Bill” Burgess, 83, of Melrose passed away Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls.

He was born to Albert and Josephine (Hewitt) Burgess in Duluth, MN. Bill was raised in Tower, MN. Following graduation from Tower High School, he joined the Army and was part of World War II in the 11th Pacific Airborne unit.

Following his military service, he was united in marriage Sept. 16, 1950, to Jeanne Skooglun on Lake Vermilion, at Tower, MN. In 2004, they then moved to Melrose.

Bill worked as a carpenter, automobile mechanic for about 20 years, resort owner of Lake Vermilion for 17 years and an underground miner and for the Forestry Department of the DNR.

Bill enjoyed woodworking, hunting, snowmobiling, racing boats, building model airplanes and boats. He loved his family and his golden retriever, Rebel. He was a member of the American Legion in Tower, MN. Bill was a true friend to many, many people.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne of Melrose; daughters, Linda (David) Oreskovich of Melrose and Anita Nevala of Soudan, MN; two grandchildren, Joshua Nevala of Soudan, MN, and Annie Nevala of Tower, MN; sisters, Ruth Brown of Mount Prospect, IL and Joanne Lindberg of Cutbank, MT; brothers, Jack (Carol) Burgess of Tower, MN, and Robert (Carol) Burgess of Lake Vermilion, MN.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Josephine, and three brothers, Delbert, Linden and Raymond Burgess.

There will not be a memorial service held in Black River Falls. Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls is assisting the family with arrangements, which will be held Sunday, March 29, 2009, 2 p.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church in Tower, MN.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com