William Jesse Lunsford

Retired Major William Jesse Lunsford, 81, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

Memorial services with full military honors will be at 2 o'clock p.m. on Saturday, December 13th at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home with Chaplain Justin King officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the funeral home.

The second son of the late Dora Christine (Oddsson) and Richard Jackson Lunsford, Bill was born on August 10, 1944, in Washington, D.C. After living in Montana and Oregon, his family moved to Caracas, Venezuela, in 1953, where he attended secondary school and graduated as valedictorian from the Academy La Castellana in 1961. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech in June 1965, and then later got his Master's degree in 1974. He served his country in the US Army for 20 years, ascending to the rank of Major, and then continued to serve his country in the US Department of Defense as an Air Force civilian for another 20 years. He lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for 30 years before moving to Wichita Falls in 2013. He was also the historian for the American Cryptogram Association from 2007-2018.

Bill was a creative, intelligent technical innovator who spoke multiple languages, had a keen interest (and skill) in photography and woodworking, and an offbeat sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Lunsford; He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Lunsford. He is also survived by his daughters, Dr. Jessica Lunsford Schultz and Jennifer Lee Edwins, their husbands, Brandon Schultz and Jon Edwins, and grandchildren Kevin Loren Schultz, Paul Benjamin Edwins, Abigail Lynne Schultz, and Rachel Elizabeth Edwins, as well as his brother, Richard Jackson Lunsford, and sister Gayle Windsor Adams, her husband Jim Adams, and sister Mary Ann Austin and her husband Dr. Mark Austin.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be sent to Beyond Faith Hospice, 1702 Kell West Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76301