Wayne Morris Burnham

Hartland, VT – Wayne Morris Burnham died at his home on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. He was 84 years old. Wayne was the first boy born to Morris W. and Flossie M. (Gibbs) Burnham on January 18, 1942, in Worcester, MA. Originally from Vermont, they soon moved the family back to the Windsor area where Wayne grew up alongside three sisters and two brothers. He graduated from Windsor High School and worked at Goodyear and as a mechanic until he found a career that he truly loved: trucking. His first truck, a Diamond Reo, combined with his favorite color, blue, to form his CB handle: Blue Diamond. For many years he drove regionally and the eastern US for Cross Banking Co, Decato Bros. RSD Transport, CDF and PAK. After he purchased his own Truck he signed on with Zues, Admiral Merchants, Bateman’s, Universal Am-Can and Packard’s.

He married Barbara Gibbs in White River Junction, VT in 1964 and they shortly after settled into their house in Hartland where they still lived. When their kids were young, they enjoyed camping often at Running Bear, Mascoma Lake, and Crown Point Campgrounds. Wayne was a member of the Cross Baking Bowling team and enjoyed getting together with friends for cookouts and playing cribbage. Barbara joined Wayne in the cab of his truck for the last ten years of his career until he retired in 2016.

Wayne is survived by his wife Barbara of Hartland; two children John Burnham and wife Billie-Jo of Claremont, NH and Wendy Burnham of White River Junction, four grandchildren Jasmyn Osborne (husband Jonathan) of Kansas City MO, Alexis, John Jr and Raynah Burnham of Claremont; one sister Marie Edwards of Unity, NH; a multitude of nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Chet Burnham, and four siblings Tom Burnham, Ralph Burnham, Bea Gibbs, and Shirley Kibling.

A graveside service will be held later this summer in the Hartland Cemetery. Knight Funeral Home of Windsor, VT has been entrusted with arrangements and online messages and condolences may be shared in a guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.