Bill Dunn

March 11, 1939 - October 4, 2020

Billie Lee “Bill” Dunn, age 81 years, a lifelong resident of rural Cypress, Illinois, passed from this earth the way he lived his life, quietly and peacefully, Sunday morning October 4, 2020, at 11:20 AM at Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna. Bill was an observer, throwing in his “two cents” when he saw a need but other than that, he let people live their lives and expected the same in return. Bill was a 1957 graduate of the Vienna High School, where he played basketball. Bill was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. From 1962-1964, he was an M.P. in the army stationed in New Mexico, where they were on stand-by during the Cuban Missile Crisis. One of his nieces recently asked him if he was scared with the threat of war back then and with a characteristic Uncle Bill reply, he responded: “You Bet!” Bill lived his entire life on the family farm near Cypress. He loved farming. You could set your watch by his daily routine, probably a carry-over from his military days. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Xenoline (Burklow) Dunn and a brother, Norvell Dunn. He is survived by his sisters – Naomi Dawson, Myrtle (Carl) Kelley, and Cathy (Grange) Gorden; a brother – Wayne Dunn; as well as 6 nieces and nephews, and several great nieces and great nephews. In the end, maybe Bill was onto something – live simply, appreciate nature, observe more and throw in your two-cents only when necessary. A service honoring the life of Bill Dunn will be conducted Wednesday morning, October 7, 2020, at 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Tommy Gray will officiate. Burial will be in the Busby Chapel Cemetery, south of Goreville. Military graveside honors will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post # 5222 and the Illinois National Guard burial honors detail. Visitation will be held Wednesday morning from 9:30 AM – 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Busby Chapel Cemetery, c/o Jim Dunn, 375 Dunn Lane, Goreville, IL 62939. Those attending the visitation and funeral service are asked to observe customarily accepted social distancing guidelines. The wearing of a face mask or face covering is strongly encouraged.