William C. Dunham, III, 75
William C. Dunham, III, of Stevens Point, passed away on September 29 at home in Park Ridge.
Bill was born August 29, 1947, in Bremerhaven, Germany to his parents, William C. Dunham, II, and Mary Jane Dunham. In his childhood, Bill lived the life of a military family, moving from Germany to the Cotswolds in England and Okinawa, Japan.
He pursued higher education at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Business. While at PLU, he served as president of Alpha Kappa Psi, a business fraternity. He began a career in insurance with Aetna in Seattle and then moved on to The Hartford in Connecticut. He continued his career working in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and Hartford. He then moved to Chicago to work for CNA Insurance, rising to the position of national accounts manager.
Bill met his wife, Karen, in Chicago and they married in 1993. In 1996, Bill and Karen moved to Stevens Point, where Bill accepted a position in national accounts sales at Sentry Insurance, where he worked until his retirement in 2010. Bill quickly gained the moniker of “Chicago Bill” and many people he met in Stevens Point referred to him as either “Chicago Bill” or just “Chicago”.
Bill’s interests outside of his career were varied but, in particular, he was passionate about music – especially the Blues—and good wine. He attended many Blues Fests in Chicago and other cities and collected photos of himself with well-known blues artists. His collection of over 2,000 vinyl music albums extends to every genre of music.
Bill began studying wine in his early 20s and amassed a cellar of over 300 collectible bottles. The family will be sharing a 1947 bottle from his collection in remembrance of Bill.
After retirement, his interest in the hospitality business and his knowledge of wine led him to become a bartender at several locations, ending with his joining the staff of The Chophouse Restaurant in Stevens Point. He worked there from its inception until his health began failing.
He was a member of the planning committee for “Wines of the World” for several years. Bill served two terms as a Village of Park Ridge Trustee. Bill belonged to the Elks, and Portage County Tavern League, and was a member of Mensa.
Bill is survived by his wife, Karen, and his sons by marriage; Kevin (Alison) of Ashburn, Virginia, and Jamison (Charlotte) of Lakewood, Colo., as well as his four grandchildren; Ben, Ellie, Ryker, and Everett.
The family would like to thank Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice in Wausau for their compassionate care during Bill’s last weeks and, in particular, our thanks go out to Donna and Jason.
Services will be held on Friday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1919 Wyatt Ave., Stevens Point. Friends and family may gather to share memories on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
The family requests donations are made in Bill’s name to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.