PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- William A. "Bill" Buerck, 83, of Perryville died Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 30, 1918, in Perry County, son of William and Amelia Wingerter Buerck. He and Lela R. Buchheit were married Oct. 1, 1949, at Perryville.

Buerck retired as a mechanic at Sabreliner Aircraft Corp. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, American Legion, and AmVets.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Judy Gibbar and Ginny Moll of Perryville; two sisters, Launita Hostkoetter of St. Charles, Mo., Josephine Hunt of Greenville, S.C.; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five sisters and six brothers.

Friends may call at Miller Family Funeral Home from 4-9 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 6:30-9:50 a.m. The parish wake will be at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by the AmVets service at 7:30. The rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Church, with the Rev. Joe Williams officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, with military honors by American Legion Post 133.