Willis C. Dunham Sr. / Dec. 28, 1926 – Nov. 7, 2009
Published 10:12 am Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Willis C. Dunham Sr. of Albuquerque, N.M. and formerly of Niles, died on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.
He was born on Dec. 28, 1926 in Kalamazoo to Charles Dunham and Flossie Margarite Dunham. Will graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from Colorado State College. He honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Will taught industrial arts at Niles Senior High school in Niles for 39 years. He started the building trades program for his and several other adjoining schools. He also built an airplane in his class with the students. Will loved flying and attended the annual fly in at Osh Kosh, Wis. many times. He was a charter member and deacon at the Bethel Baptist church in Niles and served in many capacities for the Southwestern Michigan Baptist Association. Will also served on the Baptist State Convention Executive Board and the Mission Service Corps of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
He also planned and built several churches with the aide of volunteer help. Will also built a migrant workers mission in Lawton, in southwest Michigan.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Ann; daughter, Marnice Ann Clark of Albuquerque, N.M.; son, Willis C. Dunham Jr. of Albuquerque; granddaughters, Molly A. Clark and Hannah R. Clark both of Albuquerque, and Kelsie L. Dunham and Kinsie J. Dunham of Carrollton, Texas; great-granddaughter, Story Ann Rael, of Albuquerque; sisters-in-law, Betty Meyers of Jefferson City, MO and Dr. Barbara Thompson of Kansas City, Mo.
Services were held at Del Norte Baptist Church, 5800 Montgomery Blvd. N.E., Friday, Oct. 13, 2009. Friends were received at 9 a.m.
The funeral service began at 10 a.m. with Dr. Robert E. Myers officiating. Burial followed at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2 p.m., with U.S. Army honors.
The family would like to express a special thank you for the kindness extended by the staff of Hospice de la Luz to Will and our family in this time. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 Fourth St. S.W. ABQ. (505) 343-8008.
