William Bunn, Iii, Md, Jd, Mph

Dr. William B. Bunn III passed away peacefully on Monday, January 18th at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver, Colorado surrounded by his wife and daughters. He was born on June 28th, 1952 to William B. Bunn Jr. and Clara Ray Bunn in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Bunn received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Chemistry/Zoology from Duke University in 1974. College honors included the Angier B. Duke Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa and Class Presidency.  In 1979, Dr. Bunn earned a J.D. from Duke University School of Law and an M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine.  After Internal Medicine residency at the Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Bunn completed a fellowship in Occupational and Environmental Medicine also at Duke’s medical center.  He completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina in 1983 in epidemiology and environmental sciences.  Dr. Bunn received supporting scholarships and training grants from the Angier B. Duke Foundation, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Dr. William B. Bunn retired as Vice President of Health, Safety, Security and Productivity from Navistar International Corporation, originally International Harvester, and served as Consultant/Advisor to Navistar and other corporations.  Dr. Bunn served as Assistant Professor and Director of Research for Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Internal Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, Senior Director for Occupational Health and Environmental Affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Development Division of Bristol Myers, Corporate Medical Director and Senior Director of Health, Safety and Environment for the Johns Manville Corporation, and International Medical Director of Mobil Corporation.  Dr. Bunn received faculty appointments at Duke University School of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, University of Colorado Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Northwestern University School of Medicine, University of Illinois School of Public Health and Medical University of South Carolina.  He was co-author/editor of five books and authored more than 150 scientific publications.

Dr. Bunn’s brilliance, passion, and dedication went beyond his academic and professional accomplishments as he was a beloved father, husband, and friend. Bill Bunn was described as a best friend to so many, and kept his friendships close and dear to his heart over time and distance. As a close friend and fraternity brother suggested, “The Lord had a delightful day when He dreamed up Bill Bunn.”  Friends flew in from all over the world to attend his 60th birthday party in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he lived for the last years of his life with his wife, Cherie. He was always the light of any room and the life of any party. He would often be found singing to the Rolling Stones or delighting everyone with fond memories and stories of his adventures. Bill Bunn was a supportive and compassionate father, who encouraged his daughters to use their gifts to brighten the world and break barriers and boundaries. He was always there for a needed hug, a shoulder to cry on, or a laugh in dark moments. He was a dedicated husband, and loved to spend time traveling and exploring the world with Cherie. His love and passion for life, learning, and community will continue to inspire his family and friends, and while he will be dearly missed, he will always be remembered and cherished.

He is survived by his wife, Cherie Smith; daughters and sons-in-law, Ashley Bunn and Eric Binkley, and Jordan and Garick Taylor; his grandchildren, Peyton Taylor, Arlo Binkley, and Holston Taylor; his brothers and sister-in-law, Sean and Iryna Smith, and Howard J. Smith; his nephews, Jack Smith, Dr. Sergey Bondarev, Warren Smith and Stewart Smith; and his niece, Sophia Smith.  Bill Bunn will be profoundly missed by his family and the many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances he touched with his generosity and compassion.  Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to Flight For Life Colorado, a not-for-profit air medical transport program that integrates Dr. Bunn’s passion for high quality medical rescue and the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

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