Russell Thomas “Russ” Burney, Jr. passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025. He had been a resident of Waltonwood Lake Boone in Raleigh, NC for the past 20 months.
Russ was born in Wilmington, NC on August 23, 1941, to Russell Thomas Burney, Sr. and Elizabeth Moody “Peggy” Burney. He was a 1959 graduate of New Hanover High School and went on to attend The Citadel in Charleston, SC, where he received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, with emphasis on structural design and soil mechanics. Following his graduation with the Class of 1965, he served over three years in the US Navy. In 1967 and 1968, he served in Vietnam and was a member of a construction team known as the Sea Bees which built schools, roads and bridges – serving in USNMCB9, Team 0912. After being stationed in Okinawa, in 1969, Russ attended Instructor’s School in Norfolk, VA and then moved to Gulf Port, Mississippi. On March 20, 1970, Russ finished his military service and moved to Richmond, VA to work with Froehling and Robertson, Inc. On September 12, 1970, Russ married Mary Lynn McCue from Bluefield, WV.
Russ and Lynn moved from Richmond and returned to Wilmington in 1973, where he worked for Hercules, which subsequently evolved into Cape Industries and later Hoechst Celanese. He worked as a Senior project engineer and became involved in all phases of plant design and construction. During his career, he also enjoyed many other activities such as golf (since the age of 12), scuba diving, water skiing and fishing. In the early 1980’s, he acquired his private pilot’s license and went on to devote his free time to the local Civil Air Patrol, as well as flying search and rescue for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Over the years he continued to establish and donate to scholarship funds in honor of several family members at various colleges such as Louisburg College, UNCW and The Citadel. Russ retired from Hoechst Celanese in the fall of 1997.
Some of his favorite activities in retirement included attending Citadel football games and tailgates with family and friends, playing golf with his grandson, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, gathering with friends to enjoy oyster roasts and local seafood, being involved in the Wilmington area Citadel Alumni Association, researching family genealogy, and spending time with his family and friends.
Russ is preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, Elizabeth “Betsy” Burney Wright and Charlotte Emily “Billie” Burney; and his wife, of 51 years, Lynn McCue Burney.
His surviving family members include his daughter, Helen Burney Williams, son in-law Greg; grandson, Mitchell Gregory Williams and granddaughter, Claire Robbins Williams, all of Raleigh, NC. His nephew, Laurens Wright (Lucy) and niece, Elizabeth Mayo (Spencer) of Newport News, VA and nephew, William Wright (Missy) of Wilmington, NC; other nieces and nephews include Jean Ellen McCue, Anne McCue, Christian Dancer, Dana Jacobs, Clarkson Payne and Keaton Payne.
A celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Transitions Lifecare Hospice of Raleigh or The Citadel Alumni Association.
Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC, is serving the Burney family.