William Dunlap

1929 - 2022

William Watson Dunlap

Oct. 1, 1929 - May 6, 2022

William Watson Dunlap our beloved "Skipper" passed over the bar on May 6, 2022.

He was born October 1, 1929 in Buffalo New York, to parents, Wallace and Margaret Dunlap. Skip spent his early years living on the shores of Lake Erie on Grosse Ile, Mi. where he swam, delivered daily papers and hunted ducks in his sneak boat. He attended Culver Military Academy, Williams College and University of Michigan majoring in forestry. He met his wife Barbara Fithian at the U of M and they began married life at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, then to Havre, Mo. to serve with the Air Force at a radar station. He began his career as a logger with Weyerhaeuser Co. in Coos Bay, OR., transferring to Longview in 1968. He began as woods supertendant in Kalama, WA then his final job as a mill site engineer in Longview. During those years in Longview, Skip served his community at St. Stephens Church, Lions Club, Longview City Council, Red Cross,AARP tax volunteer, library board member and at sometime a baseball coach. He loved spending time out of doors. Skip was an avid duck hunter, built a couple of boats, made blackberry wine and took his dog for many walks. He and Barbara had many adventures especially living in Morelia, Mexico and Granada, Spain for a time trying to learn Spanish. Family meant the world to him and was a priority. He was always interested in their well being and loved celebrating their successes and supporting them over the rough spots.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara of 65 years, daughters Nell (Mike Pratchenko, deceased) and Peg (Mark Norman), and son Bill (Carla Kotzerke). He leaves seven grandchildren, Abby, Erik, Dan, Alec, Sean, Whitney and Trevor, and 4 Great Grand's, Jase, Ben, Will and Dylan.

A celebration of life will be held at St Stephen's Episcopal Church, Longview, Washington, May 21st. Donations in memory of Skip can be made to the Longview Public Library.