Burns Wiley Smock passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026, at Willows Post Acute, where he spent the last two months of his life, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 72.

Burns was born January 12, 1954, in Napa, California, to George and Lavonda Smock. The family later bought a ranch in Orland. Burns graduated from Orland High School in 1972, where he played football and was on his class’s homecoming court. He then attended Merritt College in Oakland and became a union floor covering journeyman.

Burns was a man of many hobbies. In his Napa years he collected antique bottles, raced in demolition derbies, grew flowers and strawberries, and kept bees in the backyard. His older children were right there with him for all of it.

Back in Orland, he kept laying floors and kept up the derbies and the antiques. He took up oil and ink painting and grew a huge vegetable garden. He helped his younger children raise lambs for FFA and never missed the events around town.

Burns gave years to search and rescue and to the Orland Volunteer Fire Department. That service meant more to him than almost anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Natalie Hansen Smock; and his brothers, Larry and Claude. He is survived by his son Jerame Smock and granddaughter Alanna; his daughter Jolene Dawson (Shane and family) of Chico; and his son Jacob Hansen Smock of Princeton.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 29, at 11:00 a.m. at the Orland Fire Department.

Arrangements are held under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary.