William E. Dunn

1926 - 2016

1926 ~ 2016
On Saturday, August 13, 2016, William E. (Bill) Dunn, Jr., 90, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away surrounded by members of his family.
Bill was born March 7, 1926, in Salt Lake City, the oldest of four children born to W. Elmer and M. Estella Drage Dunn. He grew up in South Salt Lake, and in 1954 made his home in Murray. In 2011, he and his wife, Norma, moved to Atria in Sandy. In February of this year, he moved to Sagewood in Daybreak. He graduated from Granite High School and the University of Utah with a degree in Pharmacy. Bill was proud to be an American, having served as a World War II veteran in the U. S. Navy. He attended the Utah Honor Flight to Washington D.C. honoring veterans of World War II.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Norma Lorraine Erickson, on March 21, 1947, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. She preceded him in death on January 23, 2012.
As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Bill served on the high council of three stakes, bishop of the Murray 20th Ward, and stake president of the Murray Utah Stake.
As a pharmacist, Bill was first employed by Vernal Drug. He later became the owner of Murray City Pharmacy, American Pharmacy in Murray, and Crest Drug in Midvale. He was awarded the coveted Bowl of Hygeia by the Utah Pharmaceutical Association in 1974.
In 1965, Bill became involved in politics and was elected Mayor of Murray City. He also served as chairman of the Murray Centennial Celebration in 2003. In 1970, he was elected as a Salt Lake County Commissioner, where he served eleven years, seven as chairman. He also served seven years on the board of the National Association of Counties.
During his lifetime, Bill served in many civic capacities including President of the Murray Chamber of Commerce, Murray Jaycees, Utah Jaycees, Utah Association of Counties, Salt Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wasatch Front Regional Council, and Salt Lake County Council of Governments. He received many awards and honors related to his professional and community service.
In 1981, Bill was hired as the first local employee of American Express at their new facility in Salt Lake. He served as Director of Operations Support Services and Director of Public Affairs, resigning in 1985 to become Gov. Bangerter's Executive Director of the Department of Business Regulation, retiring in 1989.
Bill is survived by his children, Craig, Debbie (Jerry) Black, Lori, and Brian (Rebecca). He is also survived by his three sisters, Donna (Keith) Smith, Pat Haun and Peggy (Don) McKinley; brother-in-law, Ron (Georgia) Erickson; 8 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Norma.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at the Cameo Park Ward Building, 8909 S.1700 E. in Sandy on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Friends and family may call from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State St., Murray, and at the chapel from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Murray City Cemetery. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.