Submitted by
Ruth M. Brown
Willis Garrett "Bill" Dunkum, Jr.
Birth: September 2, 1924
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Death: January 7, 2006
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Burial: Calvary Cemetery
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Willis "Bill" Garrett & Barbara Lea (Reed) Dunkum Jr.
Willis was the son of Willis Garrett and Edith Roberts Dunkum, Sr., and lived all of his life in Marlin. He graduated from Marlin High School in 1942. Following high school, he attended Kemper Military School in Booneville, Mo. and entered the U.S. Navy during WW II. His military service was spent in the Pacific Theatre aboard the George Clymen, APA27. After the war, he enrolled in Texas A&M University and graduated in January of 1950 with a degree in Animal Husbandry. He was a member of A&M's stellar award winning Livestock Judging Team.
Mr. Dunkum married Barbara Lea Reed on Aug. 16, 1947 in Marlin. Upon his return to Marlin and following graduation from A&M, Mr. Dunkum owned and operated Falls County Livestock Auction Company. During the early 50's, he started his own cattle company. Following more than 26 years as a Falls County rancher, he sold his holdings and opened a restaurant in Taylor, Texas.
In 1988, Mr. Dunkum established "Kwiker Sticker," a vehicle inspection station located on Valley Mills Drive in Waco, which he operated until his death.
For nearly 50 years, Mr. Dunkum served on the Board of Deacons and as a Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Marlin.
For nine years, Mr. Dunkum served as Trustee of the Marlin Independent School District, the last three years of which he served as President. During his presidency, the trustees set the guidelines for integrating the school system and the planning, financing and construction of the new high school building facilities.
Through the years, Mr. Dunkum served as President of the Marlin Junior Chamber of Commerce and was an active member of the Marlin Chamber of Commerce, Rotary club, Lions Club as well as many of Marlin's civic organizatin committee.
Most recently, Mr. Dunkum delivered "Meals on Wheels" in the Marlin area. Mr. Dunkum was a charter member of the Real County Deer Group. The close-knit members enjoyed 28 years of hunting deer, elk and fellowship. He was also a member of the Interruption Society.
Mr. Dunkum was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, W. G. "Gary" Dunkum III and wife, Deborah of Houston, and Robert Frank "Bob" Dunkum of Austin; daughters, Mary Ann Dunkum of Lewisville and Carol Lea Contella and husband, Michael of Hewitt; brothers-in-law, Bill Kirkpatrick and Richard Reed and wife, Minnell; granddaughters, Madeline Dunkum Townsend and husband, Chad of Houston and Kinnison Bryan and husband, Nem of Austin; grandchildren, Michael Joseph, Noah Lea Contella and Lydia Lea Contella of Hewitt; and great-grandchildren, Ashley Elizabeth Consolvo and Laren Jean Townsend of Houston.
