William McDonald Dunlap age 85 of Irondale Alabama went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Donald was born October 12, 1937 in Hueytown AL to the late Joseph McDonald Dunlap and Laurie Eugenia Ray Dunlap. In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lucille Rhodes and Russell Rhodes.
In 1956 Donald met the love of his life Alice Rhodes of Sterrett AL. They were married at the Beula Baptist church in Sterrett on January 23, 1960. Donald was a devoted and loving husband, a dedicated and loving father who was so proud to welcome their only child, Russell MacDonald “Mac” Dunlap born in 1966.
Donald graduated from Childersburg High School and served proudly in the United States Navy for 3 years. Later, Donald worked for 31 years for Southern Bell Telephone Company in Several cities across the state. After taking early retirement in 1987 he honed his skills in computer programming and founded Computer Systems Integrators where he enjoyed a lifelong pleasure of working with small businesses till 2017.
Donald loved all types of music and over the years built vast collection of vinyl from a variety of genres. He was an expert photographer, a skill that he passed along to his son “Mac”.
He was a member of the Irondale Exchange Club for 35 years where he was admired for his passion for conservative values, his generosity and outgoing personality. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. For many years he was the voice of common sense constitutional conservatism in the editorial pages of the Birmingham News & Post Herald.
In addition to his wife Alice and his son Mac, those left to cherish Donald’s memory include his brothers, David Eugene Dunlap (Sharron) of Childersburg AL, Raymond Dale Dunlap (Karen) of Daphne, AL, his sisters, Carol Diane Herndon (Jim)of Brewton AL, Deborah Jean Dunlap of Pensacola FL, and his brother-in-law, James Cecil Rhodes (Judy)of Birmingham, AL , and numerous friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews..
Friends and family are cordially invited to attend a graveside service at Birmingham's historic Elmwood Cemetery in block 24 lot 694 on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 2pm.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Dunlap family.
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