William 'Billy' E. Burnes Obituary (1947

LOWELL-William E. Burnes, beloved son of Dorothy M. Harrison and the late Col. Francis X. Harrison, Sr. passed away unexpectedly April 23, 2012, at the V. A. Hospital in West Roxbury, MA at 64 years of age. Billy was born in Cambridge, MA on July 19, 1947. He was the son of a career Army Officer, and lived and studied at many of his fathers military duty assignments, including several tours of Germany. He graduated from Ft. Knox High School in Ft. Knox, KY. He then enlisted in the Army on Nov. 8, 1965, and served his country honorably from 1965-1968, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam. While serving in Vietnam, he was decorated for saving the life of his Company Commander while under heavy enemy fire. For this he received a Purple Heart. This was the second time that Billy exhibited his courageous behavior. The first was in 1963, as a youth and an Eagle Scout. He ran into a burning building and pulled a boy to safety, subsequently saving his life. He was written up in the Boy Scout Life magazine in June 1963 and given the Certificate of Merit by the Boy Scout National Court of Honor. He was a disabled veteran, who after serving 3 years in the Army, later re-enlisted, and served 4 years in the United States Marine Corp. He came from a long line of soldiers as a member of a proud military family. Billy was predeceased by his father, Col. Francis X. Harrison and his sister Dorothy Harrison. In addition to his mother Dorothy, he leaves three brothers; Dennis Harrison and his wife Mary of Scituate, MA, Rocky Harrison and his wife Jeanne of Chelmsford, MA, and Kevin Harrison also of Chelmsford, along with four loving sisters; Sandra Herterick and her husband Daniel of Cape Coral, FL, MaryAnn Solis and her companion Brian McGettrick of Tewksbury, MA, Ellen Finn and her husband Dr. R. Thomas Finn of Laconia, NH, and Colleen Parrish and her husband Jeff of W. Falmouth, MA, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and last but not least, his care giver and friend Peter Nomnick. Billy, rest well soldier, and say hello to Dad for us. We love and miss you Brother. Semper Fidelis. It being his wish, there will be no visitation. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 oclock at St. Mary Church, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford. Family and friends are invited. Interment will be private in New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. Service Information April 27, 2012 11:00am, Saint Mary Catholic Church 25 North Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 Interment Location New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery 110 Daniel Webster Highway Boscawen, NH 03303 Private Burial