W. WAYNE BUNKER

1922 - 2017

W. WAYNE BUNKER William Wayne Bunker, a lifetime Southern Nevada resident, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at his home, in Boulder City. He was 94 years old. He was born Nov. 22, 1922 and lived during his youth in St. Thomas, Nev., and rest of his life in Las Vegas and Boulder City. He was the fifth and youngest child of Robert E. Bunker and Annie Elizabeth Mathews Bunker. Wayne Bunker graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1940 and attended Brigham Young University where he enlisted in the military at the outbreak of World War II. He completed his undergraduate education at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo. as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was in the 5th wave of the 4th Marine Division that invaded Iwo Jima in early 1945. He received a Bronze Star commendation for heroic and meritorious service on Iwo Jima. He remained in the Marine Corps reserve following World War II and served active duty during the Korean War. Following his military service, he became a certified public accountant and opened an accounting firm in Las Vegas in which he was a principal until 1971. He continued in the accounting profession and various business interests until just a few years before his death. From 1985-1989, he served on the Las Vegas City Council. For many years, he served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Nevada, later Wells Fargo Bank. During his entire life, he was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as a member of the presidency of the Las Vegas Stake and as Patriarch. He married Lucy Bluth Bunker in 1943. Wayne and Lucy were both accomplished musicians and active in many musical pursuits during their entire lives. Together, they formed and managed the Bluth Chorale which performed at church and civic activities throughout the valley. Lucy passed away in 1989. Wayne and Lucy had four children who survive them, Anita Michele "Michele" Jones, William "Bill" Bluth Bunker Mary Louise "Mary" Marsh and Jonathon Wayne "Jon" Bunker. Wayne married Margie Ripplinger in 1990 and, together, they moved to Boulder City, where they were residing when she passed away in 2014. Wayne Bunker was a devoted husband, father, patriarch and disciple of Jesus Christ. Viewing will begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, with service following at 10 a.m., both at the LDS Chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 1550 Buchannan Blvd., Boulder City. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. Bunkers Eden Vale Memorial Park, 1215 Las Vegas Blvd. N., in Las Vegas.