Richard William Burr

Richard William Burr, 85, of Bentonville, passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at the Concordia Health and Rehab in Bella Vista. Richard was born in Herington, Kan., on April 27, 1926, a son of Richard Melvin Burr and Rosa Martha Greenwood Burr. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Richard worked for the USDA as a resident poultry-grader and later was promoted to assistant state supervisor of graders for the State of Arkansas. Most of his co-workers called him “Dick,” but his grandchildren referred to him affectionately as “Grandpa Bud.” Richard was a member of the Christian Church of Gravette and an active member of the Rogers VFW until his illness. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Burr of the home; one brother, Robert Melvin Burr of Topeka, Kan.; two sons, Werner Gail Lehner and wife, Katie, of Kansas, and James William Burr and wife, Jeanne, of Missouri; four daughters, Marjean Lehner of Kansas, Pat Webb and husband, Frank, of Decatur, Ark., Candy Douglas and husband, Robert, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Dianne Leeman and husband, Russell, of Decatur; one stepdaughter, Connie Cavness and husband, John, of Bentonville, Ark.; two stepson, Jerry Bertschy and wife, Rosie, of Pineville, Mo., and Joe Holland and wife, Charlotte, of Gentry, Ark.; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by one stepson, Bob Holland. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Bentonville. The Rev. Don Morrow will officiate the service, with burial being held at the Dug Hill Cemetery in Bella Vista, under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale. Online guestbook at www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.