Bynum Burris

Mr. Albert Bynum Burris passed away full of peace with his family at his side on October 6, 2007, at 6:20 PM in the Massac Memorial Hospital. Bynum was born in Simpson, Illinois, to Melvin Reed and Ruby Sylvia Bynum Burris. Having been born in 1925, Bynum would have been 82 on November 2 of this year. He was married to the former Bobbie Jean Porter for over 57 years and she survives. He is also survived by on daughter, Brenda Kreuter and her husband John Robert of Vienna, IL; one grandson, John Russ Kreuter and his wife Jenny of Owensboro, KY; and one granddaughter, Beth Ann Kreuter of Nashville, TN. He was expecting his first great-grandchild, a baby girl to be named Ella Beth Kreuter, due in February 2008. Also surviving are a sister, Jeslyn Harrison of Springfield, IL and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William Eldon Burris of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and one sister, Gertrude Owen of Simpson, IL. Bynum attended school in Simpson and graduated from Vienna High School in 1943. He was a star athlete in basketball, baseball, and track. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II in the Pacific Theatre stationed in Hawaii. Upon returning from the service, Bynum attended and later graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where he played baseball for the Salukis. He was in the first group to work at the Union carbide Plant in Paducah and retired from there. He also retired from the Vienna Correctional Center as the Leisure Time Services Coordinator. In his retirement, he enjoyed daily trips to his farm in Simpson where he raised cattle and gardened. He loved watching his grandchildren in all of their activities as they grew up. He also enjoyed quail hunting, golfing at the Lake of Egypt Country Club, or catching a softball or baseball game at the Vienna Park. Bynum was a member of the Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Simpson. He was a life member of the Beggs-Gurley Post VFW. He served as President of the Vienna High School Board of Education for many years. He was also a member of the Vienna Park Board and Vienna Zoning Board. Bynum directly and indirectly contributed to and influenced Vienna High School athletics in many ways. He started coaching Khoury League boys baseball in the early 1960ƒ?Ts. These same boys were virtually the VHS varsity baseball teams in the late 60ƒ?Ts and the early 70ƒ?Ts. Soon after coaching the boys, Bynum began coaching girls softball. These same girls became the nucleus of the high school girls softball program for several years, forming the tradition of successful and winning programs for VHS. He was instrumental in forming lives and characters of many boys and girls. Perhaps one of the most important contributions was his involvement in the development of the Vienna Ball Park. This recreation area for baseball and softball, so sorely needed in Vienna, has prepared literally hundreds of children to develop into fine athletes at the high school level. It was for these reasons he was recently inducted into the Vienna High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Bynum leaves his family and many dear friends to cherish his memory. Visitation will be Monday, October 8, 2007, from 5 PM ƒ?" 8 PM. Services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, October 9 at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna with Rev. Willard Murrie and Russ Kreuter officiating. Music will be provided by Jennifer Gilley. Burial will follow in the Gilead Cumberland Church Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley Military Post. Honorary pallbearers will be the girls that played on his softball teams.

Bynum Burris

November 2, 1925 - October 6, 2007