The Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club has introduced that Kewanee businessman William “Willie” Burford has been chosen because the 2026 Outstanding Citizen.
“This year we are honoring Willie for his service to the community, Ambassador Club member Dave Harker said. “Willie has long been associated with service in Kewanee and the surrounding area with his employment at Rux Funeral Home.”
Burford was born and raised in Galesburg, graduating from Galesburg High School in 1995 and summa cum laude from Southern Illinois University School of Mortuary Science and Funeral Service in 1997.
He labored at G. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale till relocating to Kewanee and becoming a member of Rux Funeral Homes in 2002.
He lives in Kewanee and has three youngsters: Maddie (21), Makenna (20) and Braley (19) and thru a earlier marriage gained a daughter and son-in-law, Bridget (Drayson) Owens and their youngsters and a son and daughter-in-law, Cameron (Pamela) Wirth and their youngsters.
He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Funeral Ethics Association, Kewanee Elks Lodge, Black Hawk East Resource Development Committee, Ambassador Club by means of the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce and constitution member of the Kiwanis Club of Galva. He additionally emcees at varied Kewanee Chamber occasions together with the Hog Days Parade.
Burford is a 23-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Kewanee the place he’s a previous president twice and lieutenant governor, in addition to a Walter Zeller Fellow and a Dr. Luis V. Amador recipient.
He is the Kiwanis advisor to the Wethersfield Key Club and together with 2019 Outstanding Citizen Everett Whitcher is the chair of the annual Kiwanis Pancake Day, a place that he has held for 13 years.
In his free time, he’s an avid sports activities fanatic, particularly following his son’s faculty baseball video games. He enjoys being outdoor and spending time along with his household. Win or lose he’s a die-hard Detroit Lions fan.
