William Burns (Burley) Phelan, Jr., died on April 16, 2026. He was 83 years old.
Burley was the son of William Burns (Bo) Phelan and Irene Tennyson Phelan. He was born on April 30, 1942, in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; four children and their spouses: Bo (Amanda) Phelan; Beth (Jason) Worth; Ben (Rebekah) Phelan; Brad (Gloria) Phelan. Burley is also survived by 12 grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Emma, Mayes and Grayson McFarland; Radley and Chandler Worth; Will, Violet, Jack, Ruby, Carver, Miller and Edy Phelan; one great-grandchild, Anders Egil Ellefsen.
Phelan was a graduate of Owensboro Catholic High School, attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a B.S. from Brescia College and an M.A. from Western Kentucky University.
Phelan worked for Texas Gas Transmission Corporation while attending night classes at Brescia. After college graduation, he worked for Eck Miller Transportation for five years, leaving to become Dean of Students at Brescia, where he served for ten years. In 1985, Phelan was named the Executive Director of the Owensboro-Daviess County Tourist Commission, where he served until his retirement in 2007.
Phelan was a past president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Committee on Aging, the Leadership Owensboro Alumna Association, Southern Little League, and the College Personal Association of Kentucky. He served as Chairman of the Kentucky Tourism Federation, Kentucky Tourism Council, and Kentucky Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. Phelan also served on the boards of the Owensboro-Daviess County Chamber of Commerce, the International Bar-B-Q Festival, the Kentucky Hotel/Motel Association, the Kentucky Society of Association Executives, the River Park Center, the International Bluegrass Music Association, the St. Joseph Peace Mission. Phelan was a graduate of Leadership Owensboro and a member of Leadership Kentucky. He volunteered at the Help Office and was a committed blood donor to The Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Western Kentucky.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will resume on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of William Burns (Burley) Phelan, Jr. Please leave condolence messages for the family of Mr. Phelan and sign the virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.