- William E. Dunlap
DRAKES: William (Bill) Everett Dunlap died on the evening ofJanuary 3, 2016, aged 86. He was at his home with his wife andfamily. The son of the late Everett John Dunlap, and Edna JaneReich Dunlap, Bill was born on February 7, 1929 in Corning,Ohio.
A graduate of Corning High School, Bill left his hometown toserve in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948 in its occupation ofKorea. Upon completion of his two-year deployment, he returnedhome and met Frances (Fran) Tharp, the beautiful daughter ofWesley and Nettie Tharp of Hemlock. A three-year courtshipbegan, which resulted in marriage on August 11, 1951, and sixty-four more years together.
Bill attended Ohio University where he earned a Bachelor's (1954)and Master's (1958) degree in Education. He would spend hisentire professional life as a teacher and educational administratornear his hometown. Bill's first teaching job was in a one-roomschoolhouse in Gosline. He would then work as an elementaryteacher and coach at Corning before becoming its principal in1970. He served as principal for the elementary schools ofCorning, Rendville and Moxahala before his appointment asprincipal at Miller High School in 1971, and later, as thesuperintendent of the district. Bill was the superintendent of theSouthern Local Schools for thirteen years until his retirement in1985.
Those who knew Bill greatly appreciated his devotion to the schooldistrict during his career and after. His unwavering support forMiller's sports continued after retirement. Bill was a fixture atnumerous sporting events where he was often greeted by the Millerteams at the beginning of each game. In 2003, the Miller girl's
volleyball team recognized Bill, their favorite fan, with a plaquefor his faithful attendance. He also continued his efforts to bolsterthe school's academic agenda. In 2000, Bill and Fran invested inthe lives of many young Miller students with the establishment ofthe William and Frances Dunlap Scholarship. The funds raisedthrough this scholarship program continue to be conferred toMiller graduates to help provide opportunities for highereducation.
Bill's unceasing dedication to the school district garnered localrecognition and commendation. Much appreciated by his formercolleagues and the local community, Bill was honored in 1994when the gymnasium at Miller High School was named in hishonor—the William E. Dunlap Gymnasium. In 2001, he wasinducted into the Southern Local Distinguished Alumni Hall ofFame, and, in 2015 a Gingko Biloba tree was planted anddedicated in the honor of Bill and Fran at the entrance of MillerHigh School's football field. His work for the Southern LocalSchool District will not soon be forgotten.
Bill's life was also devoted to other pursuits. He was a member ofseventy-four years in the United Methodist Church of Corning,where he served on the administrative board and in the positions oftreasurer and trustee. Additionally, Bill belonged to several civicorganizations: the Corning Masonic Lodge #584, the Scottish Rite,the Corning American Legion Post #327, the Ohio EducationAssociation, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators,and the Retired Teachers Associations of Perry County and ofOhio. He served eighteen years as treasurer for the Citizens forSouthern Schools and was appointed to two terms on the OhioLottery Commission. Until recently, Bill sat on boards for thePerry County Library, Perry-Hocking Educational Service Center,and the Tri-County Career Center.
Along with his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sisterBetty Jane Bingman and her husband Eugene Bingman; father-in-law Wesley Tharp and mother-in-law Nettie Tharp; and brothers-in-law Randy Tharp, Wesley Tharp Jr., and Raymond Tharp. He issurvived by his wife Frances Dunlap and their two children: Anita(Steve) Pompey of Crooksville, and Jeff (Jodi) Dunlap of Dresden;six grandchildren: Zachary (Lindsay) Pompey, Seth (Theresa)Pompey, Jordan (Danielle) Pompey, Travis Dunlap, Tyler Dunlap,Alicia Dunlap, and Trisha (Jason) Blake; eight great grandchildren:Owen, Jack, Josie, Norah, Maisy, Annabelle, Stella, and Kathryn;sisters-in-law: Connie (Bob) Spergin, Kathy (Terry) Jones, VickyTharp, and Glenna Tharp; brothers-in-law: Mike (Patricia) Tharp,and Bill (Debbie) Tharp, along with many special nieces, nephews,and friends.
Bill was a committed and caring family man. He loved his familyimmeasurably and he meant the world to all of them. Bill's life andlegacy will endure among family, friends and his community forgenerations.
The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Ulrich and the hospicestaff of Genesis Healthcare for all of their care and assistance.
The J. E. Humphrey Funeral Home in Shawnee has made allarrangements. Calling hours will be held at William E. DunlapGymnasium at Miller High School Wednesday, January 6th from 4to 8 PM and one hour prior to the funeral service. The MasonicLodge will hold their services at 8:00 PM on Wednesday. Funeralservices will be held at Bethany United Methodist ChurchThursday at 1 PM with the Reverend John Kay officiating. Theburial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in New Lexington withmilitary honors presented by the Corning Post #327 of theAmerican Legion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany United MethodistChurch or to the Southern Perry County Academic EndowmentFund, PO Box 498, Corning, Ohio 43730.
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Our Family History
1929 - 2016 (86 years)
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