William Henry Bunch

William (Bill) Henry Bunch, Sr. passed away on January 1, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, NC on Saturday, January 10th 2026 at 11:00 am. He is survived by his wife of 40 years Donna O'Dell Bunch, children: Natalie Bunch Carmen (and spouse Andrew), William Henry Bunch II (and spouse Carly), and Zoe Gabrielle Bunch; and three grandchildren: Daniel, Micah, and James Carmen.

Bill was born in Asheboro, North Carolina in 1960 as the fifth child and fourth son of John Charles Bunch Sr. and Claudine Stout Cox Bunch. His siblings Ellen Elizabeth Bunch and John Charles Bunch Jr., and niece Kateland Marie Bunch precede him in death. His brothers Walter Edward Bunch and Robert Squire Bunch are still living in the Asheboro community. Bill is also survived by a large extended family including: sisters-in-law Nancy H. Bunch (Ed), Nancy J. Bunch (Johnny, deceased), and Lou Ann O’Dell Lewis (Barry); brother-in-law Beverly Wayne O’Dell Jr. (Debbie); cousin James Henderson Love Jr. (Lea); and nieces Kara Parrish (Matt), Molly Lyons (Charlie), Rebekah Kingston (Chris), Julia McQueen (Brian), Ashley Tysinger (Tyler), and Sarah Lewis; nephews Tommy Bunch, Jason Bunch (Vickie), Seth Lewis, Neal Lewis, Zach O’Dell (Andrea), and Nick O’Dell; first-cousins-once-removed Blair Johnston (Eric) and Emma Love Sides (Trevor); and an abundance of great-nieces and nephews.

Bill graduated from Asheboro High School in 1978 where he served as student body president and played trumpet in the band. He earned his Eagle Scout in 1974. Bill graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1982 with a BS in Business Administration. At UNC, he was on the Daily Tar Heel staff and a member of Pi Kappa Phi. Bill went on to have a long and fruitful career and life of service in Chapel Hill. Professionally, he founded two companies: William H. Bunch, CPA, PA in 2001 and Maze Financial Planning in 2006.

As a dedicated community servant, Bill served as a Meals on Wheels deliverer from 1995–2021, Kiwanis President, Rotary Member, and a board member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce for nearly a decade. Bill played a key role in creating the Chamber’s 501(c)(3) partner, the Foundation for Sustainable Community. Bill was one of only four individuals to serve more than one term as Chair in the Chamber’s 80-year history (2008-2009). In 2009 he was awarded the Triangle Movers and Shakers award to acknowledge the difference he had made in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community as a business leader.

Bill and Donna have been members of University United Methodist Church (UUMC) since 1993 and have served in various capacities. Bill served as Chair of the Administration Board, Chair of the Council of Ministries, and Stephen Minister in addition to chaperone and trumpet player on numerous service and choir trips with his three children. Bill helped start Pack 39 Cub Scout Troop with other fathers at UUMC. While serving as Assistant Scout Master of Troop 820, he and his son William attended Sea Base and Northern Tier. In 2004 he was awarded the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award, the highest council-level recognition for adult volunteers. In his earlier years, he ("Proud Panther") and Natalie ("Draws-a-lot") participated in Indian Princesses, later the YMCA Guides program with his daughter Zoe ("Blooming Flower").

Bill was a devoted husband to his wife Donna and practiced unconditional love for her, his children, and grandchildren. His life was full of showing up for others, having meaningful conversations, and leading by example. The strength he carried to manage his Parkinson's was a testament to his character and devotion to continue living fully. In recent years, Bill found fulfillment in furthering clinical research and contributing to the future care of others with Parkinson's as well as cancer. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather who remained constantly present with his family while pursuing his entrepreneurial and service callings. 

In lieu of flowers, Bill desired that memorial contributions be made to University United Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels, UNC Lineberger Cancer Center, Parkinson’s Foundation, or The Partnership for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.