William H. Dunton's Obituary
William H. (Bill) Dunton of St. Michaels died on June 24, 2024 at home surrounded by his three loving daughters. He was 95.
Born on January 13, 1929 in Schenectady, NY, he spent his early years exploring the natural beauty of upstate NY. He loved water skiing, swimming, and boating in the summers in the Adirondacks. In the winter, he would be found downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and playing ice hockey. His father, a supervisor at the General Electric plant, would bring home aviation pictures and magazines. That early exposure determined Bill's path in life.
After graduating from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady, he won a scholarship to the school of Aeronautical Engineering at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, where he met his future wife, Sally Reed, the only young woman in the aeronautics program. Both were members of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. The day before graduation, they were married at the college chapel on June 17, 1950. They both graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in aeronautical engineering, Bill with a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force.
Bill and Sally worked as flight test engineers for the Curtiss-Wright Corp. in West Caldwell, NJ until their first daughter was born in 1955, and Bill was called up to serve in the US Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, where their second daughter was born. Their youngest daughter was born after Bill returned to Curtiss Wright. In 1961, Bill joined Boeing Helicopter Division in Pennsylvania as a flight test project engineer. He also spent several years as the Manager of System Tests for the Boeing division of rapid transit before returning to helicopters. While living in Swarthmore, PA for 25 years, the family started sailing-cruising on the Chesapeake Bay.
In 1979 Bill and Sally purchased their home on Harris Creek. After 8 years of weekending, Bill retired from Boeing in 1987 and they became permanent residents of St. Michaels. They joined the US Sail & Power Squadron and the Cruising Sailors of St. Michaels and spent many years sailing the waters of the Eastern Shore and beyond.
Bill is predeceased by his beloved wife. He is survived by his brother, Robert Dunton of Fulton, NY, his three daughters, Sue Myers of Lewes, DE, Kathy Metrick of New Tripoli, PA, and Cindy Thornton of Millington, MD; eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren all of whom will miss him, his sense of humor, and his love of life.
At Bill's request there will be no services, and a private inurnment will be scheduled at the convenience of the family. He would often reminisce about his friends who were very important to him and hoped they would see this obituary.
If desired, memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to Olivet Cemetery by sending a check to St. Luke's United Methodist Church and writing Olivet Cemetery on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to St. Luke's at PO Box 207, St. Michaels, MD 21663.
Arrangements are by the Framptom Funeral Home-Ostrowski Chapel of St. Michaels
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