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William DUNKUM Obituary
A Native of Newport News, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1954, and was owner of Dunkum's Machine and Automotive Shop. He was an avid fisherman, a member of the James River Rod and Gun Club, a member of First United Methodist Church of Newport News and the Warwick Yacht Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Hicks Dunkum; his parents, William A. and Florine Dunkum; brother, Charles 'Freddie' Dunkum; and aunt, Thelma D. Dunkum.
Survivors include his aunt, Katherine W. Smith; cousins, Roy Dunkum and Randy Warthan; niece, June Azami of Newport News; stepchildren, Carole Jean Autry (Eugene) of Midlothian, Va., Sandra Jarrett (William) of Orange Lake, Fla., Ronald R. Hicks (Betty) of Newport News; seven step-grandchildren; and 17 step great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Thelma Bryant, his longtime caretaker; M. Robert "Bobby" Peters, longtime friend and fishing buddy; and the Heartland Hospice.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight, Aug. 1, at Peninsula Funeral Home. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug 2, at Peninsula Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice, 11835 Fishing Point Dr., Suite 202, Newport News, VA 23606; or First United Methodist Church of Newport News Foundation, 10246 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William DUNKUM
Ron and Betty
August 2, 2010
There will not be a day that we will not think of you and remember your kindness. We will miss you. We love you.
Mark Ailsworth
August 2, 2010
Dear family & friends,
As a youngster I got to take my first offshore fishing trip on Billy Dunkum's boat. I also had the opportunity to be taught "hushpuppy making 101" by his father at James River Rod and Gun Club and later work on the construction of the machine shop.A fine man, raised by a fine father....
Pam Biddle-Zollo
August 2, 2010
When I was a young girl I fished with my Dad at the Hampton Roads Marina. My Dad went fishing with "Billy" often or all of them would pull out of the marina at the same time. He was such a nice and good hearted person. God Bless all the family.
Frankliln Smith
August 1, 2010
My condolences to all who knew Billy. I know his family and friends meant a great deal to him, and I always thought that at sometime, we would reconnect again. We had one meeting in Newport News last spring,and he was a cheerful soul and forward looking as ever. I learned a great deal from Billy, and he will be greatly missed.
August 1, 2010
To The Family of Billy Dunkum.
I am the daughter of Pete Keen who was a long time employee of Dunkum’s Machine Shop. I would like to express to you the wonderful memories I have of Billy when I was a child.
I am 57 years old now and upon hearing of his passing a flood of memories rushed back to me. Memories of playing in the office at Dunkum’s on Saturday while my father worked and Billy always being so kind or of the Halloween candy I always looked forward to that his father gave us each year. To the excitement of going out on his wonderful boat out of Nags Head. He just gave us opportunities we never could have had. That was the type of person he always was.
Very few people I have such memories of as a child other than Billy. That says a lot about the person he was.
I hope your family will always know that he touched lives in ways many people will never know.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sincerely,
Ruth Keen Austin
James River Rod & Gun Club
August 1, 2010
Deepest regrets from the members and friends at the hunt club.
Chris Clarke
August 1, 2010
Billy's passing is surely a profound loss for all who were fortunate enough to have known him. He was a fine man from whom I learned a great many things through the years, and I will miss him. I hope he and Ralph will soon be fishing together again.
norma williams
July 31, 2010
To the Family, I am sorry to hear about your loss. when you have day's that you feel down take your care To the Hearer of prayer. Psalms 65:2
Jim & Carol Richardson
July 31, 2010
We share Billys familys sorrow as he has moved from their loving hands to those of our Lord.
July 31, 2010
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Aimee Hicks
July 31, 2010
I will always love you and miss you dearly!
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Peninsula Funeral Home & Crematory11144 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601
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