Walter W. Dunbar, 96, of
Peoria, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2020 at Lutheran Hillside Village in
Peoria.
Funeral services will be at 11:00
a.m. on Friday, February 07, 2020 at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue
in Peoria. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral
home. Entombment will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
Walter was born on March 5,
1923, in Peoria, the son of Orie and Maude (Zettle) Dunbar. He married Norma J.
Hoagland on February 24, 1946 in Peoria. She preceded him in death on November
26, 2016 in Peoria. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one
granddaughter, Stephanie Snarr Smith; and sister, Betty Desmond.
He is survived by his
children, Walter (Cherie) Dunbar of Glasford, Nancy (John) Snarr of Dunlap,
Alvin (Jody) Dunbar of Elmwood and Robert Dunbar of Peoria; six grandchildren;
eleven great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren.
Walter proudly served his
country in the United States Army Air Corps., enlisting on September 22, 1942.
He was honorably discharged in 1945. He was a decorated WWII Veteran. He was in
the 44th Bombardment Group and was stationed in England. He fought
in 33 missions over Germany, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and a Certificate of Valor. He became a
licensed pilot, through the Army Air Corps., after the war.
He began his career at
Caterpillar in June of 1940, as a Machine Apprentice. He had various
manufacturing positions and was transferred to Glasgow, Scotland in 1960. In
1964, he was transferred to East Peoria as the Factory Manger and in 1965, he
was in the manufacturing position for the Mossville and Mapleton plants. In
1973, he became the plant manager in Milwaukee, WI and in 1975, the plant manager
in Davenport, IA. In 1985, he was transferred to Peoria as the Director of the
Engine Division and was responsible for four plants. He retired after 48 years
of service to Caterpillar, in 1988.
Walter and his wife traveled
abroad from 1960-1964, visiting over 15 countries, including Scandinavian,
Mediterranean and European countries and the British Isles. They went on many
cruises and even traveled on the original Queen Mary.
He loved to play racquetball
and softball and to go bowling, fishing and hunting. He golfed and had a “Hole in
One” on the Madison Golf Course and a “Hole in One” on the Mount Hawley Country
Club Golf Course. He was very active in the Scottish/American Society. He was
President of the Chamber of Commerce in Davenport, IA. He was on the Board of
Directors for the Peoria Production Shop, now EPIC. He was a member of the Crow
Valley Country Club in Bettendorf, IA and a lifetime member at Mount Hawley
Country Club in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may
be made in Walter’s memory to Greater Peoria Honor Flight or Project Hero.
