William Cecil (Bill) Dunn Jr.
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William (Bill) Cecil Dunn, Jr. passed away early on February 11, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones and three cats. He was 72 years old.
Bill was born in Bristol, VA on December 10, 1949, to Bud and LaVergne Dunn. Bill joined his mom; dad; stepdad, Fred Frazier; and grandparents in Heaven. He leaves behind his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Amy; son, Joseph (Carrie); sister, Diane Dunn Harrison (Robert); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bill grew up in Bristol, TN and lived there until he left for college at Virginia Tech; he was a lifelong Hokie. During his time at Virginia Tech, he was in the Cadet Core and was proud of his country. In his summers during college, he worked at Montreat in NC. He often took his family back to Kirkin' O' the Tartans worship service there. He met the love of his life, Marilyn, while getting his master's at ETSU. Soon after, they got married and moved to Knoxville, where they would raise their children. He spent his career as a geneticist at Oak Ridge National Laboratories.
Bill loved music; he played guitar, banjo, and hammer dulcimer. He sang in church choirs and could be found playing washtub bass in the Hardin Valley String Band and at the Karns Volunteer Fire Department. He would travel back to Bristol every year to attend the Rhythm and Roots Music festival. His record collection was extensive and varied - from the Beatles (his favorite) to John McCutcheon and Simon and Garfunkel.
Bill had a keen sense of direction, literally and figuratively - Joseph still cannot believe that he navigated his way around Boston with a paper map.
He was a devoted father, passing on his love of music to both Joseph and Amy and coaching their soccer teams. If you knew Bill, you know he was a big talker, but he didn't always tell you how he felt. Still, he made sure that his last words to his children were "I love you." And that sums Bill up - fiercely loyal and incredibly loving.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Sunday, February 13th at Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Knoxville beginning at 2pm. Masks will be required.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, www.mda.org in Bill's name.