Hoyt W. Burns, 85, of Lakeland, Fla. passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012.He was born on Mar. 27, 1926 in Fyffe, Ala., to Hulon W. and Agnes R. Burns. He moved to Chattanooga in 1937. Mr. Burns graduated from Kirkman High School in Chattanooga before serving in the Army during WWII where he was stationed in Germany. He was a member of Brainerd Kiwanis and big brother in Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club. He also was a member of Spring Creek Road Baptist Church in Chattanooga where he was Deacon Emeritus, church treasurer, finance and personnel committee member, church trustee and also worked in Sunday School and Training Union. He retired as Vice President from Am South Bank (now Regions Bank), where he was manager of East Ridge for many years. Following retirement he was a Land Agent for the city of Chattanooga where he was involved with purchasing easements for construction and road widening.Mr. Burns is survived by his wife, Mary Williams Burns, of Lakeland; sisters, Chris (Ben) Miller, of Millbrook, Ala., and Betty (James) Sledge, of Lakeland; and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harold Burns.Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Road, Lakeland, Fla.Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel on Monday.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gentry-morrison.com or to Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, 1727 Bartow Rd. Lakeland, FL 33801