Wilmer Doyle (Dub) Bunkley, 90, passed away at his home Tuesday, February 19, 2013, in Abilene, Texas. Funeral services will be 10:00a.m., Friday, February 22, 2013 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South with burial following in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 to 8p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home. Serving as pall bearers will be, Sam Combs, Kenneth Glover, John Gore, Rueben Rodriquez, James Bunkley, Dave Letz, Harry Stevens, and Lance Davenport.
Wilmer was born on March 18, 1922 in Stamford, Texas. He graduated from Paint Creek High School in Haskell County in 1940. After graduation he went to school in San Marcos, TX at the NYA (National Youth Administration) for 7 months, training in the machine shop and machine operations. He returned to the family farm and worked there until October of 1942 when he joined the U.S. Navy as a Sea Bee. He shipped out from San Diego in March of 1943 to Guadalcanal in the South Pacific for 17 months. In 1945 he served his last tour of duty in Okinawa until the war ended.
Wilmer married Lillian Joyce Nanny on November 27, 1946. They lived in Stamford for a short period of time and then moved to Abilene, TX. He went to work for Billington Electric Company rewinding motors until 1948. After that, he began his work as an electrician and worked for Dubose Electric from 1949 until 1961. He received his Master Electrician license in 1950. On February 17, 1962 he founded Bunkley Electric Company, which two of his sons continue to operate. He was a well-known “pioneer” in the electrical business in Abilene.
Wilmer and Joyce were founding members of Epworth United Methodist Church for 48 years. He was a strong Christian, devoted father and husband and family man. They were also members of the Coachman Caravan (travel trailer) Club for many years after his retirement in 1988. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all loved playing “42” and “88” with him right up until about a month before he passed away.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Lillian Joyce; three brothers; and four sisters.
Survivors include his sons, Garry D. Bunkley and wife, Barbara, Mark Bunkley and wife, Pauline, and Terry Bunkley and wife, Kathy all of Abilene; his daughters, Kathy Gaylor of Las Cruces, NM, and Rena Garrett and husband, Alan of Portales, NM; seven grandchildren, Patrick Bunkley Gaylor of Phoenix, AZ, Michelle Terra of Round Rock, TX, Misti Cooney of Las Cruces, NM, Brent Bunkley of Abilene, Mary Lynn Bunkley of Austin, TX, Candace Bunkley of Abilene, and Kaitlin Garrett of Portales, NM; and six great-grandchildren, Mary and Esther Terra, Paul, Noah, and Conner Cooney, and Isla Joy Gaylor.
“Mr. Dub” will be greatly missed by his family, friends, “front porch friends”, fellow domino players, and business friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Texas Rehab Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18