William Scott Burman

William "Bill" Burman, 76, of Rogue River died peacefully at his home Monday July 18, 2011 His family would like to invite all Bill's friends and customers to join them in a celebration of his life to be held at Tom Pearce Park in Grants Pass on Sunday July 24th at 1pm. Potluck and barbeque, music and story telling. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made at any Umpqua Bank branch in the name of Bill Burman. Born Oct 13, 1934 in Bismark, North Dakota moved to southern Oregon as a child in the 1940's. Son of Raymond and Mildred Scott Burman Bill's folks bought the old Messenger Ranch in Williams where he grew up and developed his love of the outdoors, fishing, hunting and riding horses.. He joined the Navy in 1952 serving in the Korean conflict and in Vietnam. During his career in the Navy Bill married his first wife, Alice "Sye" Healy in 1955 and they had 2 sons, Jeffrey and Chris. He was best known as a self taught saddle maker that spent his spare time perfecting his craft while serving in the Navy. Bill retired from the Navy in 1972 as Senior Chief Petty Officer or "Ship Fitter" with 5 good conduct medals, Navy Unit Commendation medal for service on the USS Yellowstone and an Armed Forces Expeditionary medal. When he came home to stay after 20 years in the service he opened Burman Saddlery on Rogue River Hwy where it is today and worked nights and weekends around his second career of 20 years at Sawyers Oar and Paddle Co of Rogue River. Bill's 1st wife Sye passed in 1994 and he married Sharron Maguire on Aug 12, 1995 and they became a blended family with 5 children. Bill is survived by his wife Sharron, sons Jeff and Chris Sr., stepsons Rex and Steven Southwick and step daughter Cynthia Johnston Burman. He has 9 grand children and 5 great grand children. Bill held true the virtue of being a cowboy in his heart... his honesty, loyalty and respect for his friends and family was obvious every day of his life. As an artist he excelled with his beautiful tooling and craftsmanship in leather saddles, english tack and pack saddles and his work will be his legacy for generations to come.

Service Information

Sunday, July 24th, 2011 1:00pm, Tom Pearce Park