Vigil services for Floyd Johnny Burns, 78, of Eagle Lake, Texas, were held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at the Dulany Funeral Home Chapel, in Eagle Lake. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at the Dulany Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Eddie Winkler, pastor of the Roman Catholic Parish of the Nativity in Eagle Lake officiating.

Burial was in Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake, under the direction of Dulany Funeral Home of Eagle Lake.

He was born on May 21, 1925, in Sallisaw, to Huey Edward "Buster" Burns and Grace Wright Burns. He died Tuesday, Oct 28, 2003, in Rice Medical Center in Eagle Lake.

Mr. Burns was a veteran Sergeant of the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He served at Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe Ground Cobat. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Theater Ribbon and Silver Star. Following the war, he worked in the oilfield, Dr. Pepper bottling Company in Eagle Lake and A.J. Struss Auto Supply before retiring in 1990 after 35 years of service as Irrigation Plant Operator for the Lakeside Division of L.C.R.A.

He worked cattle for the Travis Wegenhoft Ranch in Colorado County and served his community at the Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years.

Mr. Burns married Elinor Dostal on Aug. 25, 1947, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Eagle Lake.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Elinor Burns of Eagle Lake; one daughter and son-in-law, Debbie Watson and her husband Tim of Somerville, Texas; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Mike Burns and Tommy Burns and his wife Peggy of Richmond, Texas; five grandchildren, T.J. Watson, Ty Watson, Shelly Burns, Randy Burns and Nikki Burns, two sisters, Marie Osburn and Bonnie Knight both of Sallisaw; one brother, William Burns of Sallisaw; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, James "Bub" Burns and John Edward Burns.

Pallbearers were Ralph Johnson, Alex Woolridge, Travis Wegenhoft, James Stock, Alex Ramirez Jr. and Phillip Cooper.

Honorary pallbearers were Len Matula, Ernest Fields, Sidney Perry, Charles Dittrich, Dutch Herman and his grandchildren.

Friends and family may send online tributes to www.mem.com.