William Thomas Lunsford

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of William Thomas Lunsford, Lt. Colonel, United States Marine Corps, on April 12, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ellen and his children, Sue Dumas and Bill Lunsford; son-in-law, Dr. Paul Dumas; sister-in-law, Vianna Foree; and seven grandchildren, George, Thomas, Sarah, Donald, Steven, Marc, and Eric. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William F. Lunsford and Inez Lunsford Silberg. William was a graduate of Wentworth Military Academy, and Oklahoma City University. He was Vice President of his senior class, President of Kappa Alpha order, and a member of Blue Key Honor Society. Bill, as a Fighter pilot and Helicopter pilot, was the recipient of the Bronze Star with valor, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Selected Medical Reserve Medal, Purple Heart, Republic Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal, Single Mission Air Medal, National Defense Medal with Star, and numerous other awards during his 27 years of service. He was on the Allocations Committee of United Way, Pastor Parish Committee of Thalia Methodist Church, Past Master of Indian River Masonic Lodge, Area Representative of National Sojourners, and recipient of the John Dove Award Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons in Virginia and the Knight York Rite Cross of Honor. A life well lived. A sincere thank you to Compassionate Care and Hospice for their support and a very special acknowledgment to the staff of Home By the Bay for their extraordinary care and compassion. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011, website: alzheimers.org. Please visit Mr. Lunsford's memorial at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.