The Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club has announced that Kewanee businessman William “Willie” Burford  has been selected as 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 worked at G. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale until relocating to Kewanee and joining Rux Funeral Homes in 2002.

He lives in Kewanee and has three children: Maddie (21), Makenna (20) and Braley (19) and through a previous marriage gained a daughter and son-in-law, Bridget (Drayson) Owens and their children and a son and daughter-in-law, Cameron (Pamela) Wirth and their children. 

He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Funeral Ethics Association, Kewanee Elks Lodge, Black Hawk East Resource Development Committee, Ambassador Club through the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce and charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Galva. He also emcees at various Kewanee Chamber events including the Hog Days Parade. 

Burford is a 23-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Kewanee where he is a past president twice and lieutenant governor, as well as a Walter Zeller Fellow and a Dr. Luis V. Amador recipient. 

He is the Kiwanis advisor to the Wethersfield Key Club and along with 2019 Outstanding Citizen Everett Whitcher is the chair of the annual Kiwanis Pancake Day, a position that he has held for 13 years.

In his free time, he is an avid sports fanatic, especially following his son’s college baseball games. He enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family. Win or lose he is a die-hard Detroit Lions fan.