William Marshall Dunlap

William Marshall Dunlap (“Bill/Billy”), my dad, was born Feb 5, 1932 in Goodwater, Alabama to Marcus and Lillian Newberry Dunlap. He grew up in Alexander City and moved to Sylacauga, AL his freshman year in high school. He and his little brother, John Henry, played half back for B.B. Comer and were known to be fast and quick to get around the defense. He and his brother were also known as “scrappers” and funny guys! He grew up in his dad’s produce business, selling off the back of trucks and produce stands. That business eventually became “Dunlap’s Fruit Bowl” in Huntsville, AL where his mother added her nursery business with her true green thumb and sold large cement outdoor furniture.

After high school, Billy enlisted in the Navy and after serving at several ports, landed on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. He was in communications and was known to be the fastest typist they had known – close to 100 words per minute. The admiral respected him and even had him babysit his young children from time to time. His relationship with the admiral helped to get his brother on board the same ship which is rare in the service. He and John Henry had good times on the Hornet sailing the world although at least one of those times was too good and they were thrown in the brink (haha!) It was the end of the Korean war and the Hornet took a celebratory cruise around the world during which they landed at many ports and then crossed the equator whereupon the “polywogs” became “shellbacks” through a very interesting ceremonial ritual. Dad loved to tell that story.

After his time in the Navy, he went back to Sylacauga and one day saw my mom, Glenda Ray, on the street and asked her out. They eventually started dating. Glenda came from a strictly Christian family – no drinking, smoking, etc. Her parents were not thrilled at first about her dating Billy Dunlap being that he looked like Fonzie: leather jacket, Navy tattoo, cigarettes rolled up in his sleeve, motorcycle and of course still carrying the reputation as a “scrapper”. He came to visit Glenda one time and brought her a bag of peaches and that won her mother over. They married and began their long life together.

Billy attended Jacksonville State University where he earned his business degree. After graduating, he got a job at IBM in Huntsville, AL and was eventually promoted and transferred to Cape Canaveral, FL, where he was in Human Resources. He and Glenda got to witness NASA Apollo rocket launches and meet many astronauts and astrophysics engineers. They loved living in Cocoa Beach, FL. That’s where they adopted my brother, Barry, and me. They tried for years to get pregnant but couldn’t and through a private adoption agency, got my brother in 1966 and then me in 1968. We had a pool and lived 2 blocks from the beach. Lots of fun!

Dad was then transferred to Houston in 1972 where they bought the house that they would live in until Mom’s passing in 2021.

They were always the most loving and involved parents. I was my mom’s little princess and Daddy’s girl (and tomboy). Dad was my tennis coach, ran track with me, taught me how to putt, wrestled on the living room floor, took me to Houston Oilers games during the “Luv Ya Blue” era kicking off the beginning of my love and knowledge of football. He had a great sense of humor always throwing out things like: “Get the net, we got us a live one”, "Set ya free", “What you havin’ I ain’t havin’ any of?”; quoting from The Jerk – our favorite movie together; dancing silly in the hallway as we got ready for work and school. We went on many family vacations (mostly to AL, which I absolutely loved) but also back to FL and skiing in CO. We always drove and we’d ask if he would buy us a treat every time we stopped for gas and he’d say, “Of course – we’re on VACATIIIOOON!” As important as that, he had a plan for me that I’ve never forgotten: “You will do well at your studies, you will finish college, you will have an internship, you will have 2 years starting a career before you get married and then children can follow…” Very good advice and I followed it. Everything wasn’t perfect for me, but I knew that he and Mom were always there for me no matter what. I am truly blessed.

Dad retired from IBM relatively young but went back as a contractor for many years. He recruited college students from schools like UT, A&M, Tulane, UNM, LSU, etc. He loved that because he loved meeting and talking with people and Mom loved it because she loved the “vacations”.

Dad’s hobbies were tennis, golf, and watching football. He got to go to the Masters a few times, twice with his son-in-law, my husband, Roger and they had too much fun. Roger is from Kansas City and Dad had to teach him about collard greens and corn pone. He loved him like a son and they are so alike. I married my dad when I married Roger.

He loved to meet new people and made friends easily. “Charming” is a word often used to describe my dad.

Dad is faithfully devoted to Jesus, his Savior. He and Mom were members at Sagemont Church in Houston for over 3 decades, during which he was a member of the choir for 25 years. He has always had a beautiful voice but even went to San Jacinto Community College late in life for voice lessons. Some of his favorite songs are “It is Well”, “The Old Rugged Cross”, “In the Garden”, “How Great Thou Art”, and many more. He was still singing as his body was failing.

Mom and Dad were charitable givers as well. In retirement, Dad volunteered for Act of Life, an adoption advocacy organization, as well as donating to so many entities. My husband and I would tease him about how much more mail we receive from so many organizations since Dad moved in with us.

They were married 62 years when Mom unexpectedly passed away in 2021.

I owe so much to Dad for what I watched him do throughout his life and what he did for me, always being there. I am truly blessed to have him as my Daddy. He has touched so many lives.

He loves his family including all his nieces, nephews, cousins, and his four grandchildren, Jacqueline, Emily, Genny and Tara, his grandsons-in-law, Michael and Nick and his great grandbaby, Ellie. And the countless friends he has made over his life.

I love you Daddy with all my heart and miss you and Mom so very much.

Gina Dunlap Rinas

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Camp Hope Houston, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Preborn.