William James Dunbar

1925 - 2016

William "Bill" James Dunbar
1925 - 2016
William "Bill" James Dunbar, 90, died Saturday, June 4, 2016 at his home with his spectacular view and his loving daughters surrounding him. He was born in Boise, on Veteran's Day – November 11, 1925. He was a true Idaho native living his life in Boise.
At the age of 17 he joined the Navy and spent three years on the USS Serene, a minesweeper, touching every inch of the ocean and seas during WWII. He is honored at the Black Hawk Museum with a display. He was there to watch the flag raised at Iwo Jima.
Known to many as Wild Bill, he was truly one of a kind. A very brilliant man with many talents that naturally flowed from him. A self-taught musician, he expressed for years his love of music with the drums. He and Patty were part of the beginning of the Sun Valley Jazz Festival. His life was spent being his own boss. As the children (Dyan, Linda, Nanci aka Delancy) came and grew, he played the drums at night and built custom homes by day. He then because an owner of Service City Auto Center with the best speed shop in town. He retired at 52 and take Mom and their motorhome to do what they did best – be together. On their months away he took up making silver jewelry leaving family masterpieces to treasure. In his 70's he decided to begin restoring Ford V8's and was still working on a car just months ago. He enjoyed and was still an active member of the Capital City Kiwanis Club and the Ford V8 Club.
Bill was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, his precious Patty, his parents, his beloved sister Maggie, infant grandson Danny Graybeal and devoted nephew Lee "Skip" Miller. He is survived by his Charlie's Angels, as he called them – Dyan Graybeal (Doug), Lin Dunbar and Nanci Dunbar (Mark Heinemann). His six grandchildren, all of whom he adored – Ian Graybeal (Renae), Dustin "Dee" Dunbar, April MacDonald, Andrew Graybeal, Jacob Hyneman (Katie) and Chelsea Hyneman (Sanj) plus his precious great-grandchildren, Brytton, Alex, Gage, Colton, Kendall, Justice and Amber.
Bill was adopted as a small infant and in the last weeks of his life joyfully connected with both sides of his birth family. So much love came from this reunion in his 90th year. He, therefore, is also survived by his twin sisters, Shannon Gammon (Bob) and Sharon Jones (Paul), cousin Sylvia Mast Bernard and a glorious mountain of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Marian Pritchett/Booth Memorial Home, 8169 W. Victory Rd. Boise, ID 83703.
Private services were held on Saturday, June 11, 2016.