William H. Dunlap

William "Howard" Dunlap, age 83, of Peoria, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at his home after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
Howard was born on August 16, 1940, in Selma, Alabama and was the only child of Jack H Dunlap and Lanelle Berry Dunlap. He married Susan "Sus" Kaiser on June 18, 1966, in Chillicothe, IL, whom he met at the University of Illinois, on a blind date, and who was the love of his life.
Also surviving are their three daughters, Kellie (Scott) Fleeman, Kristen (Mike) Selk and Heather (Patrick) Donnelly of Peoria; sister in law Sally Hollifield of Peoria; sister in law, Sally Kaiser; beloved grandchildren, Brittan Rooney, Alexa Rooney, Savanna (Truman) Ralph, Chloe Fleeman, Hillary (Alex) Sadauskas, Jack Donnelly, Mary Jane Donnelly, Meredith Roof (Jeff Bolt), Nicholas Roof, Zachary Selk and great-granddaughter Lina Ema Sadauskas. Also surviving are nieces, Stephanie Fiddes and Amy Trudel; and nephews, Brent McClughen and Mark Kaiser.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Susan, and a grandson, Noah Roof.
Howard grew up in Selma, Alabama working from a young age on his parent's farm and in his parent's minute shop and local doughnut shop. He worked extremely hard to be the first in his family to attend college and attended Auburn University, receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering. He decided to brave the Illinois winters and was granted a fellowship at the University of Illinois, where he would receive a PHD in Agricultural Engineering. While at Illinois, he was a member of the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho and became an avid Illini football and basketball fan. He also met "the love of his life", Susan on a blind date. They married soon after meeting and lived in Student family housing, where their daughters Kellie and Kris were both born.
Howard had an extensive career at Caterpillar, Inc, working for 30 years as an Engineer and in management in the Engine Division. He worked as team leader for several engine projects and his accomplishments were many, to include the truck significant achievement award for the design of the F650/750 Catalytic converter for the Caterpillar 3126 Engines.
After retiring from Caterpillar, Howard was very active as a volunteer in the Peoria area. Howard loved his time volunteering with Junior Achievement, working in the area grade schools as a classroom teacher. He also was an avid volunteer at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, working at various events throughout Peoria and Central Illinois for many years. In addition, he volunteered as a soccer coach for his grandchildren's St. Phil's Tigers soccer teams.
He enjoyed playing the saxophone and loved all music, specifically big band, blues and jazz and he was a wonderful sketch artist. He loved to dance with his dancing partner of 56 years, Sus, and his three daughters. It was his greatest joy to spend time with his grandchildren, attending all of their sporting events, from soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball and many plays, dance recitals and dance team performances. He was also an active member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association, and an avid Illini football and basketball fan, holding season tickets for many years and passing that love down to his three children and their families.
Howard was the family handyman, he could fix anything and loved to spend time tinkering in his workshop or working around the home. He was also an avid fisherman and loved his many memories of fishing with family and friends. He took great pride in raising his three girls and above all else, he loved spending time with his family.
Howard fought a brave battle against Parkinsons disease for 20 years. Even in the advanced stages of his disease he never complained and continued to fight valiantly. It was always his desire to make every day the best it could be, and he certainly achieved that. For those who knew Howard, he had the best smile, lighting up many a room with it. We will miss his smile, and his positive outlook, his sense of humor, and so much more. We also know that he is now free from Parkinson's and can pick up where he left off with his favorite dance partner. His legacy will live on with his daughters and their families.
On behalf of Howard, we extend great gratitude to his caregivers and to OSF Hospice for their loving and compassionate care. To all of Howards family and friends, who have shown overwhelming support for our family during this last year, we cannot thank you enough. Your love and support will never be forgotten.
Howards family will celebrate his life with a private memorial service and burial at the Resurrection Mausoleum on Saturday, December 23, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Howard's name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org). It is our great hope that there will one day be a cure for Parkinson's disease.
Friends and family may view full obituary and sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com