John Willard "Willie" Burnham

John Willard “Willie” Burnham passed away peacefully, surrounded by his daughters on May 11, 2018 after a long battle with heart disease. John was born on December 20, 1936, the only child of the late Milford T. and Margaret V. (Scott) Burnham. John was raised in Akron on 1st Avenue and later moved to Springfield Township. After graduating from East High School in 1954, he began working at Goodyear. He graduated from Kent State University with a degree in education, and served in the Army Reserves in the early 1960’s. In 1963, he returned to Akron where he taught at Springfield High until his retirement in 1987. During his tenure at Springfield he taught Math and coached both baseball and softball. After retirement, he and his family moved to Ocala, Florida where he continued to tutor in Math and play in competitive softball leagues. He lived in Ocala until 1992, then returned to his home in Akron. He was an avid reader, traveler, fisherman, volunteer, and a lover of music. His greatest joy was sharing these passions with his four daughters and grandchildren. John is survived by his daughters, Becky (Jerry) Hatch, Jackie (David) Goddard, Tina (Mark) Barber and Beth (Chris) Ryzoc; grandchildren, Lilly and John Hatch; devoted neighbors, Jed and Linda; and special friends, Nana, John Ward, Kenny Sword, Quiz, and his “twin brother” Willie Thomas. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, 1 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road (Route 91), Akron (Ellet), Ohio 44312. Burial will follow at Hillside Memorial Park. Friends and family will be received at the funeral home prior to the service on Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Should friends desire, donations may be made to Friends of the Akron Library, 60 S. High Street, Akron, OH 44326. (Hopkins Lawver, AKRON, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com