Clyde Burns Nov. 11, 1933 ~ Aug. 8, 2013 Clyde Glenn Burns, former Mayor of Valley Mills, Texas passed away peacefully in the company of his loving family at Girling House, a hospice facility in Round Rock, Texas, on August 8, 2013. He had wrestled mightily with lung cancer for over two years. His life will be celebrated on Sunday, August 11th, 2013 at the Valley Mills Church of Christ at 2:30pm. Mr. Pat Richardson, pulpit minister of the Valley Mills Church of Christ will officiate at the service. Interment will be at the Valley Mills Cemetery under the direction of Foss Funeral Home. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:30 to 2:30 P.M. at the church. Mr. Burns was born in Valley Mills, Texas at the home of his parents, L.D. and LaVada Burns on November 11, 1933. From boyhood through his teen years he was active in the Valley Mills United Methodist Church, attended youth camps and was a member of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. He was described as an excellent student who was well-liked by all his teachers and peers. Mr. Burns also enjoyed playing football and graduated from Valley Mills High School in 1952. After graduation, Mr. Burns worked for his father, L.D. Burns and alongside his twin brother, Claude Burns on numerous bridge and road construction projects contracted to Fred Hall, Inc. He also joined the Texas National Guard in 1952 and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the 36th Infantry Division, also known as the Texas or T-Patch Division. He later saw active duty in the United States Army as part of the allied occupation force stationed near Munich, Germany following World War II. Sergeant Burns received special recognition for expert marksmanship utilizing weapons including the Browning Automatic Rifle, M1 rifle, and the .45 caliber pistol. Following his military career, Mr. Burns was employed at the Naval ordinance facility in McGregor, Texas, which, during his 38 years of service was utilized under federal contract, by such varied industries as Phillips Petroleum, North American Aviation, Rocketdyne (A division of Rockwell International) and ultimately, Hercules, Inc. Mr. Burns achieved the position of supervisor in the quality control department and was privileged to be an integral part of teams that ensured the safety, integrity and reliability of parts used in the NASA Space Shuttle program and in various missile systems considered vital to national defense. Following his successful career at Hercules, Mr. Burns served as a consultant to various suppliers who held defense contracts with the United States Government. Before his term as Mayor of Valley Mills, Mr. Burns further served his community as a city council member and Mayor Pro-tem. He was also an active member of the Valley Mills Church of Christ and served on the Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department. Ever valued for his work ethic and integrity, Mr. Burns spent his so-called "retirement years" in Round Rock, Texas working part-time as a handyman, accomplished carpenter (he constructed the beautiful wine racks at Siena Ristorante Toscana in Austin), landscaper and all purpose "Mr. Fix-It". Mr. Burns loved history, western films, staying abreast of national politics, attending his grandchildrens' sporting events, and all family "get-togethers". He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sylvia Lancaster Burns; daughters Kimberly Burns Bullock and Marla Burns; son Mark Burns; son-in-law Philip Bullock; grandchildren Andrew Burns, Will Burns, Spencer Johnson, and Riley Johnson; brother Claude Burns; sister-in-law Wanda Burns; sister Bobby Hammer; nieces Susan Hammer, Janet Sundvall, and Claudia Burns; nephew Mike Brown; and great nieces Heather Pondron and Ashleigh Burns. Mr. Burns was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Ovella Brown, and by a son, Glenn Burns. Mr. Burns' family is thankful for the assistance of Dr. Darren Kocs of Texas Oncology, Hospice Austin (Christopher House), Round Rock Hospice (Girling House) and for the thoughts and prayers of so many wonderful friends. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.