Willard "Willie" Dunn was born in Denver, Colorado on May 30th 1942 to Flora Rosa Louise Loy and Maynard Charles Dunn. Willie passed away quietly at his home in Wheat Ridge, Colorado on May 6th, 2023 at the age of 80.
Willie graduated from Merino High School in 1960. After high school he worked in farming and hauled hay. During this time, Willie also served as a Deputy Sheriff for Morgan County, Colorado. In. January, 1969 Willie went to work as a machinist at Sundstrand Aviation in Denver. After his time as a machinist, he decided to continue his education at the Colorado Barber College in Denver's old Five Points area. Willie graduated in the late 1960s and kept his license current throughout his life. After graduation, Willie worked at small shops and then joined the team at Al's Barber shop before moving on to Avondale Barber's where he later bought the business in 1980.
At the time of his death, Willie had been retired for a number of years. Throughout his life he enjoyed spending time in the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plains and over the years he continued to do so. Earlier in his life Willie trained and participated in a Mountain Rescue team that used snowmobiles to locate and transfer rescued individuals to safety.
Willie also enjoyed activities such as fishing, gold panning, off-roading and Motorcycling with family and friends.
In the 1970s, Willie and his family were in a Black Powder Shooting organization where they traveled in and out of state to Land Meets, Gatherings and Pow Wows. Willie had a deep Spiritual connection and a respect and love for the culture and traditions of indigenous peoples. Over the years he had been adopted into several Tribes and groups where he continued to study traditions and the hand crafting ceremonial objects. He remained close to those that he met in his adoptive families.
Willie loved his family and felt that family members should strive to strengthen family ties and continue to build on them. He took many opportunities to give counsel and support.
Willard is survived by his sister Mary Ellen Stephens of Phoenix AZ, and three sons Shawn, Lon, and Jan, their wives Nora and Kimberly, as well as ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren all living in Colorado. Willard was preceded in death by his mother Louise, father Maynard, brother Douglas and daughter Dawn.
Memorial services will be held May 30th 2023 from 4 to 6 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 13645 E Bayaud Ave., Aurora, Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Willie's name to the
Chromosome 18 Registry and Research organization on their website: https://www.chromosome18.org/
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Willard Lyle "Willie" Dunn, visit the Tribute Store.
30
May
13645 East Bayaud Avenue
Aurora, Colorado 80012
Services conclude at the Hall.
