William Michael Kunnari left his family to be with the Lord on February 14, 2019, after a brave battle with dementia. William, known as Bill, was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 2, 1943 and moved to Ishpeming, Michigan as an infant where he resided until 1961 when his family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. He attended North Phoenix High School, Phoenix College and Northern Arizona University.
Bill was a veteran of the Army and served in the Vietnam War. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his actions of bravery and injuries received during his service. He was active in many sports, his favorite being basketball, which he played in high school in Michigan and college in Arizona. In his later years he enjoyed golf and the times he spent playing with great friends. As a lover of the outdoors, he appreciated the wonders of nature and savored the moments he spent fishing on a quiet lake or sitting on a cabin porch.
Following along his path for the love of the outdoors, Bill took a job as a salesman with Garden West Industries, a wholesale garden and nursery supply company. He was offered an opportunity to buy in as a partner and felt truly honored and very fortunate to be included in the ownership. Bill continued as a salesman, as he enjoyed interacting with his customers and the opportunity to be outdoors rather than behind a desk. He took great pride in his work and his business winning several regional top sales awards.
Bill was a gentle man with a generous heart who had a deep love for his family, friends and country. He set an example for others proving hard work, dedication, respect and devotion to family is the path to success and happiness in life. He was a loving grandfather who often said his granddaughters, Elyse and Presley, were his life’s greatest joy. He would get teary-eyed just talking about their accomplishments, big or small, and the best part of his later years was simply hugging “his girls”.
As a father, he was second to none, providing the time, tools, passion and energy for his only child, his son Brian. He encouraged him to imagine big, create loudly and pursue impossible dreams that eventually became reality. He led by example, showing that a strong and caring man is also a man who isn’t afraid to express his emotions. He felt so blessed that his son had met and married Stacey Momeyer, such a kind, caring and lovely woman and treated her as his own daughter. He seized the dreams of both his son and “daughter” and continued to propel them forward to pursue whatever was in their hearts.
Finally, he was a truly loving and devoted husband of 51 years to Melanie, his greatest and only love, his joy, his heart, his world.
We love you more than you will ever know; we miss you in ways we still can’t comprehend. Now is the time to rest and bask in eternal peace and glory for a beautiful and honorable life well lived. We were the fortunate ones to have shared this life with you.
William was preceded in death by his father, Walfred, and his mother, Elsie. He is survived by his wife, Melanie, his son Brian (Stacey), his granddaughters Elyse and Presley, his sister, Barbara Armijo (Andy) and niece, Heather Valentine.
A private memorial service is planned for late March at which time family and close friends will celebrate the life of our beloved Bill.
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