William S. “Billy” Dunning, 59, of Palatka, became present with the Lord on Tuesday March 31, 2015 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Tallahassee, he was a lifelong resident of Palatka and graduated in 1973 from Palatka South High School where he played baseball under Coach Billy Bennett. Billy continued playing baseball at St. Johns River Junior College where he graduated in 1975. He worked 36 years at Georgia Pacific, serving as a maintenance planner in the Power and Recovery Area. Billy was a member of the Palatka First Baptist “S” softball team that won the National Championship in 1984. He was an avid golfer and Florida State University fan and served as a member of the St. Johns River State College Athletic Association. He also enjoyed the beach and spending quality time with his family. Billy was a member of the First Assembly of God in Palatka where he and wife Melony started the orphan’s ministry. He was likewise a part of mission teams that worked in the Dominican Republic and in Ecuador. Above all other things he did and loved, Billy’s passion in life was serving his Master.
He was preceded in death by his father, James S. Dunning, Sr., a daughter, Erica Dunning and his father-in-law, Marvin Green.
Billy is survived by his wife of 34 years, Melony Dunning of Palatka, 3 daughters, Natalie Gill and husband Aaron of Palatka, Kristin Rippy and husband Jordan of Lakeland and Madison Dunning of Palatka, a son, Cade Dunning of Palatka, his mother and step-father, Joyce and Bill Snyder of Palatka, 2 brothers, James S. “Jim” Dunning, Jr. of Salt Springs and H.C. Dunning and wife Treva of East Palatka, 7 grandchildren, Logan Gill, Haley Gill, Parker Gill, Jaxon Gill, Avery Gill, Bella Rippy and Sophia Rippy, his mother-in-law, Ferrell Green of Palatka, 2 sisters-in-law, Pam Douglas of Palatka and Cindy Kerce and husband Robert of Oldsmar as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Services celebrating Billy’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 3, 2015 at the First Assembly of God in Palatka with Pastor Ted Stackpole, Pastor Jeff Sellers and Pastor Mike Rippy officiating. Burial will follow at Palatka Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6-8 P.M. Thursday at Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be sent to First Assembly of God, 3111 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177 to benefit the El Shaddai Children’s Home in Haiti.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Billy’s Book of Memories page at www.JohnsonOverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.