Willie Orvil "Bill" Burrow, age 85 of the Ezzell Community south of Hallettsville and formerly of El Campo, Texas, died early Tuesday morning, December 29, 2009. He was a veteran, a retired employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and a rancher.

A longtime member of First Lutheran Church, El Campo, and a current member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hallettsville, he previously served on the church council and the outreach commission and was also active in Sunday School.

During a professional career spanning over 40 years with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, his work and dedication as an electronic technician brought many innovations to telephone subscribers in Wharton County. He was especially proud of his "perfect attendance record" of 35 years.

During WWII, he served in the United States Navy and was involved in coastline security and rescue at both Corpus Christi and San Francisco. He was an active member of The American Legion for over 56 years.

His personal interests included family camping, supporting the Boy Scouts and Little League Baseball; participating in Hermann Sons Lodge for over 60 years; square dancing with area clubs including the Country Squares of Sheridan, Mustang Squares of Ganado and Cotton Squares of El Campo; and membership in Telephone Pioneers.

His passion after retirement was playing dominoes and checkers, improving land, raising Beef master Cattle and growing hay.

Born Oct. 2, 1924 in Grapeland, TX to Wilburn Walter and Anna Ophelia Jane Williams Burrow, he is predeceased by his parents, sister Georgia Butka, and brothers Clarence, Walter and Roy and half-brother Lee and half-sister Leena Mae. His sister, Fannie Marshall of Victoria survives as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived: by his wife of 62 years, Gertrude Iola Bremser Burrow; Daughter, Joycelyn Sue Burrow Marek and husband Andrew of Bellaire; Sons, Barclay William Burrow and wife Melanie of Fort Worth, Leonard Alan Burrow and wife Cheryl of Houston, and Eric Lee Burrow and wife Kathy of El Campo.

Grandchildren: Lauren Renee Solomon and husband Bryan, Allison Clare Marek, Jonathan Mace Burrow, Mark Alan Burrow and wife HyunJung, and Matthew Christopher Marek and step-grandchildren, Laura Koudela Prihoda and husband Chad, Angela Koudela and Javier Padron, Michelle Locke Dawson and husband Benjamin and Melissa Locke Benoit. Great-grandchildren are Savannah and Kelsi Prihoda.

Visitation will be at Kubena Funeral Home from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2010.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2010 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 100 North Promenade, Hallettsville, TX 77964, with Rev. Dr. Alan Williams officiating. Pallbearers: Jonathan Burrow, Mark Burrow, Matthew Marek, Ronald Burrow, Brian Solomon and Javier Padron.

Interment will be at 3 p.m. Monday, January 4, 2010 in Garden of Memories Cemetery, two miles west of El Campo, TX on Loop 525 (Old Highway 59), 77437.

Military honors will be under the auspices of El Campo American Legion Post 251 .

In lieu of flowers , memorials may be made to the donor's choice or to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 100 North Promenade, Hallettsville, TX 77964.