William Albert “Bill” Tunnell, 90, of Saraland, Alabama, passed away on January 18, 2026. Born on November 20, 1935, in Pickens County, Alabama, he was preceded in death by his parents, James Samuel Tunnell and Velma Anderson Tunnell; one sister, Betty Tunnell Strickland and one brother, Lonzo C. Tunnell.
He is survived by his wife, Linda DeArmond, just one month shy of 63 years; three children, Kimberlee D. Tunnell, James D. Tunnell (Tina) and Patricia T. Parker (Harold); six grandchildren, Christian A. Richardson (David), Samantha D. Robinson, Colton S. Parker (Madelyn), Brittany Blankenchip (Blake), J. C. Helveston (Andrea) and Dalton Turner (Cori); great-grandchildren, Lawrel Elise Parker, Lennon Gayle Parker , Jayden Helveston, Riley Helveston, Jaylee Helveston, John Helveston, Colton Giles, Averie Giles, Huntley Blankenchip and Evelyn Jordan Robinson (to arrive in May 2026); a sister, Gayle Read, and many nieces and nephews and their families.
He graduated from Auburn University in 1962 with an Engineering degree and a love for the Tigers – War Eagle! He retired from the U. S. Corps of Engineers in 1995 with over 30 years of service. He became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in 1954.
His true love in life was his family. He was a pillar to his family and community with an unwavering reliability to all that he loved. One of his finest qualities was his caring for others. A man of steadfast integrity, teaching his family that a man’s word is all he has and should keep it at all costs. He taught his family the importance of showing respect. He would show respect by attending every funeral of every family member and friend he knew, he helped many financially, but never wanted it known. He would jump in and help others, from plowing a garden or cutting grass. He loved fishing and being outdoors, especially at their camp on Dead Lake and the river house on the Tensaw, as well as hunting and his hunting dogs like, Tex who he said was the best and Bama and Hank as well. A master at water skiing, he could teach almost anyone who didn’t know how.
He was known for always having a little mischief stirred, as he once painted the Denny Chimes in Tuscaloosa, taking his children to leave presents of opossums on the church officials front porches, and even driving the getaway car for some serious yard rolling. Many memories were made on Fort Morgan Road, from scaffold breaking to playing hide and seek at the fort with the kids, and lighting the everlasting flame that never seemed to stay lit. Peacocks were one of the strangest Christmas presents he ever received. He became known as the neighbor who let his peacocks out on the weekends, so he could chase them.
He always had a smile when satisfying his sweet tooth on oatmeal cream pies and chocolate covered cherries.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alabama Kidney Foundation, alkidney.org.
A visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home, located at 1200 Industrial Pkwy, Saraland, AL 36571, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm.
Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Saraland, AL
