William "Don" Burns was born on November 16th, 1948. He was born in Pittsburg, Texas to Mattie Lucille and Roy Howard Burns.

He attended Pittsburg High School, where he developed his love for football and Pittsburg Hot Links. He worked for TNN for many years before moving to Marshall and opening Don's Paint and Body over forty years ago. Prior to moving to Marshall, he met the love of his life, Carol Welch, they were married on May 26th, 1977, in Oklahoma. They built a beautiful life together and a very large family that he adored. He loved restoring old things. Everything from classic cars and furniture to old guns. He was a true Jack of all trades and was exceptional at them all. He was one of the biggest fans the Marshall Mavericks have ever known. For more than 30 years he rarely missed a game. He also loved the Dallas Cowboys. He was a staple in the community and he was adored by everyone he encountered.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mattie Lucille and Roy Howard Burns; his wife, Carol Burns; his sister, Reba Patterson and his beloved grandson, Michael "Mikey" Evans.

He is survived by his children, Shirley Evans and husband, Joe, Lori Bolyer and husband, Jeff, W.D. Burns and wife, Dannette, Jason Burns, Rodney Burns and wife, Lauren; sisters, Brenda O'Conor and husband, Thomas and Sue Mahaffey; grandchildren, Kimberly Rangel, Steven Bolyer, Joe Evans II, Stacy Casas, Shawn and Chris Rivers, Kendall Burns, Ashlyn Anderson Burns, and Tate and Beau Burns; great-grandchildren, Kaelyn and Aiden Rangel, Donavan Hicks, Makaila and Danielle Casas, Kamrun, Joseph, Ethan, Robin, Aeidia, Breanna and Brittany Evans and Ridge Bolyer along with numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, May 11, 2025, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Colonial Gardens Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:30 p.m., in the Chapel.