Billy W. Burney, 79, of Mobile Boulevard, Niles, died at 9:50 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, at his home, following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Daniel D. Miller, of First Missionary Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
He was born on April 18, 1930, in Trumann, Ark.

He was raised in Arkansas and came to Niles from LaPorte, Ind., in 1976.
He retired in 1995, as a driver for Allied Van Lines Woodworth.

He enjoyed fishing in area lakes and visiting casinos, especially to play blackjack.
On June 3, 1996, in Marion, Ark. he married Phyllis (Webber) Burney, who survives.
Additional surviving family include a daughter, Donna (Tom Wright) Burney of LaPorte, Ind., step-daughters, Linda Fauver of Chesterton, Ind. and Sandra Zarych of Valparaiso, Ind.; grandsons, Robert Wayne Bunton and Nicholas James Bunton and several step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Eva Sharp and Lorrine Cates and brothers, David Burney and L.M. Burney.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Leukemia Society.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.