William L. “Bill” Dunn age 81 of Marion, passed away on Thursday May 28, 2015 at Marion Manor Nursing Home.
Bill was born at home on the family farm in Chesterville on March 14, 1934, the son of Robert “Jeff” Junior and Dorothy Isabelle (Denman) Dunn. He attended Chesterville High School and graduated in the class of 1952.
In 1956 Bill was set up on a blind date by one of his Navy buddies; her name was Connie Marie Eveland. It was a match made in Heaven and one year later the two were married on June 30, 1957. They have shared their lives together for 58 years.
In 1957 Bill joined the United States Navy where he proudly served his country until he was honorably discharged.
Bill began working for Cousins & Fern Department Store in Mount Vernon. During his time there he worked his way into management and was then transferred to Sandusky for 1 ½ years. He then moved to the store in Bucyrus and served for 5 years until he became a buyer for the company where he worked in Westerville for 1 ½ years. In 1966, Bill moved his family to Marion and it was there that he opened Marion Manor in 1967. Marion Manor became his passion and the people at the facility became his family.
Bill was a firm believer that a person should truly invest in his community by serving the needs of those around. He was a member of the Marion Chamber of Commerce and former president, served with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Marion Rotary Club, 50+ year member of the Chesterville Masonic Lodge, Marion Shrine Club where he started the Little Yellow Cars and was President of the Marion Country Club. Bill served as president of Ohio Healthcare Association and regional vice president of American Health Care Association.
Relaxing to Bill was working on the family farm on his weekends. He did so until a stroke made it hard to do so, nevertheless, you can never take the farm out of the boy. He also collected antique cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Wednesday nights were reserved for his friends and any day he could be on the golf course was a great day. He and Connie also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States in their motor-home.
Bill had a deep-rooted faith and was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as trustee and elder.
He is survived by his devoted wife Connie Marie Dunn; his children: Lisa (Jeff) Turner of Powell, Lori (Peter) Backlund of Silver Spring, MD and Linn (Ted) Wade of Delaware and grandchildren: Rachel and Nathan Turner, Samuel Backlund, Emma and Robert Wade.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and a sister Anne (Bruce) Gehrisch of Marion.
Visitation will be held on Sunday May 31, 2015 at Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 East Center St., Marion from 2PM to 5PM; Funeral services will be held on Monday at First Presbyterian Church, 143 South Prospect St., Marion, at 11AM with Rev. Rob Howard officiating; Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Chesterville.
If so desired, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Marion General Hospital Hospice or the National Parkinson Foundation.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to be serving Bill’s family and condolences may be expressed to the family at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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