William Roy Dunn

1939 - 2021

July 27, 1939 - January 3, 2021

William Roy Dunn, 81, who was born in Attalla, Alabama, was a resident of Chula Vista, California, when he passed-away unexpectedly on January 3, 2021. "Roy" to his many friends and family, graduated from Etowah High School in 1957 and attended Jacksonville State University and Auburn University, before finishing navigator and pilot training with the US Air Force. Roy's 22-year career as a navigator and pilot of Caribous and B52s included tours of duty at: Vung Tàu Airfield, Vietnam (535th Tactical Airlift Squadron); Williams AFB, Arizona; Connally AFB, Texas; Turner AFB, Georgia; Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota (46th Bomb Squadron of the 319th Bomb Wing); Anderson AFB, Guam; and Mather AFB, California (320th Bomb Wing). He retired at Mather AFB in 1983, having achieved the rank of Major. He also earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences from Chapman University and taught computer software classes for Sacramento County and Chapman University.

Roy was a kind and loving spouse for 33 years to Sharon, whom he met in Sacramento while stationed at Mather AFB for navigator training. Roy and Sharon raised and loved two daughters, Carissa and Liesl, to whom he never tired of teaching life's lessons and for whom his generosity was boundless. Roy and Sharon fostered over 25 children ranging from ages 1 to 18 and hosted many foreign college students from around the globe. Sharon predeceased Roy in 1996. In 1998, Roy married Burma Dunn (née Benefield), with whom he was reunited through a high school reunion. During their 23 years together, they traveled, rooted for the Padres, volunteered, loved their rescue dogs (including Roy's walking buddy Jake), and lent helping hands to those around them.

Roy was a member of the Imperial Beach United Methodist Church, C-7A Caribou Association and Chula Vista Quilters Guild. Throughout his life, Roy pursued his many talents and interests in calligraphy, photography, cooking, quilting and woodworking. Roy loved making and fixing things and was often seen sketching his ideas for the next project in quiet moments with the pencil and paper he carried in his shirt pocket. He could also beat anyone in the room if there was a brain teaser or puzzle laying around. Roy made cooking breakfast both a science and an art form and mastered Irish soda bread and other delights that he was always happy to share. He was quick to make friends in his community, whether helping Burma at local quilt shows or working out with his friends at water aerobics. He played saxophone, trumpet, sang in choirs and shared his love of music, but it was his annual duet, offered for the special few, that will be sorely missed on our birthdays.

Aside from being survived by his wife and daughters, Roy leaves behind and loved, his sister Carol Seale of Columbiana, Alabama, his grandchildren Dakota and Cayden, his sons-in-law Richard and Steve, his nephews and niece (Tom, Ken, Jeff, Jerry, Joe and Judy), his cousins in Alabama, Georgia and Texas, and countless friends too numerous to list, but not forgotten.

In January of this year, Roy lost a battle with hospital-acquired infections as he awaited surgery for a painful pinched nerve during a time when hospitals were overwhelmed with the pandemic. Because gatherings were limited at that time, we would now like to invite friends to visit Roy's final resting place at Miramar National Cemetery (5795 Nobel Drive San Diego, CA 92122) and/or join family for a military farewell on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Cars may line up from 10:30 - 11AM behind the horse and cart (far-left lane) for the processional and memorial. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center (https://imperialbeachneighborhoodcenter.org/donate-now/) or to the San Diego Quilt Show (https://www.sandiegoquiltshow.com/), which are non-profit organizations Roy supported.

We dearly miss Roy (Dad) and his kindness, compassion, intellect, curiosity, sense of humor and wonderful Southern accent that he never quite lost. We will always love you.