Willard A. Burris

Willard A. Burris, known affectionately as Rusty throughout his life, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the age of 67. The son of the late Chester and Margaret Burris, Rusty was a fourth-generation waterman who made Rock Hall, Maryland, his home. He spent his entire career working on the water, never missing a day whether he was crabbing, horseshoe crabbing, or shucking oysters. His deep passion for the water, combined with his dedication and strong work ethic, earned him the respect of fellow watermen and friends across the Delmarva region. From a young age, he also worked at the scrapple house with Hughes Scrapple of Felton.

Rusty was remembered as a quiet, kind man who was well loved by everyone who knew him. His reputation as an honest and decent person always preceded him. He cherished the time he spent with family, and his presence will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Burris.

He is survived by his sons, Ryan and Raymond Burris; his sister, Teresa Lewis; his grandchildren, Carmen Burris, Rayla Burris, Ramon Burris, and Wendy Rae Burris; his great-grandson, Khamani Whaley; his nephews, Stephen Jones (Chrissy) and Michael Jones; and his companion, Anna Rogers.