William Evans Burney (September 11, 1893 – January 29, 1969) was an American businessman and politician who briefly served as a Democratic

U.S. Representative The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...

from Colorado from 1940 to 1941. He was elected to fill the vacancy created by the death of Representative

John Andrew Martin John Andrew Martin (April 10, 1868 – December 23, 1939) was an American journalist, attorney, soldier, and politician, who represented Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives. He recruited troops and commanded the 115th Supply Train, ...

Early life and career

Born in Hubbard, Texas, Burney attended the public schools in Texas and the

University of New Mexico at Albuquerque The University of New Mexico (UNM; es, Universidad de Nuevo México) is a public university, public research university in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 1889, it is the state's flagship academic institution and the largest by enrollment ...

. During the First World War, he served in the United States Navy. He moved to Pueblo, Colorado, in 1924 and built a career in the life insurance business. He served as member of the Pueblo board of education from 1937 to 1943. He also served as member of the United States Army Reserve Corps 1924 to 1942, eventually earning the rank of major.

Election to Congress

Burney was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John A. Martin. The seat had been vacant for nearly a year as Martin had died late in 1939. Burney served from November 5, 1940, to January 3, 1941 and did not seek re-election to a full term in the Seventy-seventh Congress.

Career after Congress

He was called to active duty in the Army in January 1942 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in October 1942. He returned to the United States from India and took command of Camp Ross in May 1945. He left the service in December 1945 with the rank of colonel. After leaving the military, he resumed his career in the life insurance business until his retirement. He died in Denver, Colorado, January 29, 1969 and was interred in Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Burney, William Evans 1893 births 1969 deaths Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Colorado United States Army officers 20th-century American politicians People from Hubbard, Texas Military personnel from Texas