Dr. William Wesley Burr Jr. passed away peacefully Saturday September 28 in his daughters home in Olney MD. During his last moments his wife Cornelia Clary Burr their children and grandchildren surrounded William. Son of William Wesley and Aural Scott Burr and brother to Jean Burr Anderson William was born on March 12 1923 in Lincoln NE. Dr. Burr received his B.A. in Biochemistry and Math from the University of Nebraska in 1947 his M.S. in 1948 from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Illinois in 1951. William Burr also earned his M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1960 where he taught biochemistry to medical students as an Assistant and Associate Professor. In 1960 Dr. Burr became a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Texas. From 1961 to 1969 William Burr was the Chief of Medical Research with the Atomic Energy Commission during which time he also interned at Washington Hospital Center and Childrens Hospital. He served as Director for the Department of Energys Health and Environmental Studies and later acting Director of the Department of Energy until 1981. After retiring from the government Dr. Burr was asked to work as Chairman of Biomedical Research at the Oak Ridge Associated University. William Wesley Burr Jr. reached the rank of Captain in the US Armed Forces Military Reserves. He belonged to the American Society of Biological Chemists American Institute of Nutrition National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He traveled extensively for work studying the effects of nuclear radiation including research in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. William Burr Jr. went by Bill and was known affectionately as Dad to his children and Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed travel music reading gardening and football. In his youth he was an accomplished swimmer and a talented and creative artist. He was a kind-hearted man who put helping others above helping himself. He was a loving father and a most incredible grandfather. He loved his wife and declared his love to her for 63 years on a daily basis. He was a fiercely loyal man who served his country his community and family. He was a role model mentor and hero to many. A man of extreme integrity and character he was loved by those who met him once as much as those who knew him well. Above all else William Wesley Burr Jr. loved his family and found strength and pride in their love and success. Survived by his wife Cornelia Scott Clary (originally of Newberry SC) his children; William Wesley Burr III Cornelia Ann Burr George Strother Burr Mamie Jean Burr Raoofi Linda Louise Burr and Scott Clary Burr. His grandchildren DeAna Ariola Matthew Raoofi Dean Raoofi Deirdre Burr Tanya Burr William Raoofi Gabriel Burr and Chelsea Burr. Additionally his great-grandchildren Nicholas and Grace Ariola survive him. He was the most loving and caring man in the lives of many and will be extremely missed. A private service were held for his family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.