William Gale Dunn Sr.

Dunn

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved father, William Gale Dunn Sr., who went to be with his wife and his Lord and Savior – unafraid and with an open heart – surrounded by his loving children on March 30, 2026, at the age of 96, at Marietta Memorial Hospital. A man of extraordinary strength and wisdom, he lived as a force of nature, unyielding, loving and unforgettable.

William grew up during the Great Depression, graduated from New Matamoras High School and then Marietta College in 1951. He married his late wife Dona in 1950 and they set out on an adventure that lasted 61 years.

William enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, attained an officer’s commission and completed an honorable career of 32 years. In 1983 he retired from the ranks as a Lieutenant Colonel. After a short time working for the Ohio State Department of Corrections, he pursued his love for the game of golf and on May 5, 2015 at the age of 85 made his one and only “Hole in One.”

William stayed involved in many organizations for the rest of his life. Those included as a Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio for 65 years, a lifetime member of VFW Post 5108, and a member of American Legion 64 for 29 years. One of his proudest moments was as a volunteer at Marietta Memorial Hospital where he became the oldest volunteer ever with 13 years and 3,178 hours of service at the age of 96.

William is preceded in death by his wife Donaldeen, his parents Harvey and Mildred Dunn of New Matamoras, OH, his brother Joseph Dunn of Delaware, OH and two grandsons Joseph and Jason Dunn.

He is survived by his four children, William Jr, Steven (Maria), Donald (Renae), and Tamie Kluckman (James). Ten grandchildren, William III, Jeff Briggs (Lana), Melissa Ruppel (Jeremy), Joshua, Sandrina Quick (Cameron), Richard (Stephanie), Jennifer Carlson (Evan), Sean Kluckman (Brianna), Brian Kluckman (Lauren): Twenty one great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Jason, Zarah, William IV, Nevada, Katlyn, Tyler, Levi, Anja, Owen, Noah, Liam, Clara, Graham, Nora, Jay, Madelyn, Averie, Jack, Grace, Sarah; 3 great-great-grandchildren, Cameron, Brantley Jettsen: Sister-in-Law Nancy, two nephews, a niece, six great nephews, and seven great nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 16, 2026, at Sandhill United Methodist Church -Reno, 725 Sandhill Road, Marietta, OH 45750. Visitation will start at 1:00pm, service at 2:00pm with a small fellowship following the service. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to Tunnel to Towers and American Legion Post # 64 Marietta, OH. Online condolences may be made at www.hadleyfh.com.