William F. Bill Dunn, 62, of Grand Island, Nebraska, died Saturday, January 18, 2014, while vacationing with friends in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Island. Mass of the Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 25, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Marys Cathedral. Fr. James D. OKane will preside with Fr. Charles L. Torpey and Fr. James C. Schmitt concelebrating. Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, January 24, 2014, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel and will continue with a vigil service at 7:00 at St. Marys Cathedral. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Bill was born August 8, 1951, at Grand Island, Nebraska. He was the son of Joseph E. and Phyllis C. (Schroeder) Dunn. Survivors of the immediate family include his wife Barbara Dunn of Grand Island, NE Sons and daughter-in-law, James & Honor Dunn of Encino, CA Michael Dunn of Grand Island, NE Daughter, Angie Dunn of Minneapolis, MN Mother, Phyllis Dunn of Grand Island, NE Sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia and Terry Jarolimek of Lincoln, NE Colleen and Dick Larsen of Mead, CO Mary and Dan Slattery of Grand Island, NE Jody and Dallan Maas of Austin, TX Brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Karolina Dunn of Grand Island, NE David and Tricia Dunn of Lincoln, NE Jerry and Brenda Dunn of Grand Island, NE Others left to cherish his memory include his grandchildren Chloe and Harper Dunn Nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews and their spouses, Matt and A.J. Hodtwalker and their son Flynn, Beth Hodtwalker, Kara Dunn, Sherree and Ty Stahn and their children Shane and Hayley, Keeley Dunn and Jon Russell, Molly Dunn, Joe and Jamie Larsen, Jason Dunn, Bob and Kelly Slattery, Ryan and Brandon Maas. Bill grew up in Grand Island attending St. Marys Grade School and graduating from Grand Island Central Catholic School in 1969. While in high school he was active in athletics and was president of the student council. His involvement with the Journalism department and school newspaper The Lance inspired his love for creative art expression. He continued his education at Kearney State College, graduating in 1973, the first graduate with a double major, Bachelors of Science in Art and Journalism. While at Kearney State he was a proud member of the ATO Fraternity. He married Victoria Evers on September 1, 1973, at Grand Island, NE. They lived in Lincoln and Bill was employed at the Lincoln Journal-Star as their Advertising Art and Copy Director. In 1979 he joined The Gazette, in Cedar Rapids, IA, working in AME/Design and newsroom artist. He began working as Director of Photography and Graphics at Florida Today/USA Today in 1985, where he led the visual coverage of the Challenger disaster in 1986. He then became Graphics Editor at the Orange County Register in Santa Ana, CA. He was a key player on news projects in 1988, including one that received the Pulitzer Prize. In 1990 he accepted the Associate Graphics Editor position at the Los Angeles Times where he planned, organized and supervised the information graphics coverage of the Gulf War, which won the Judges Special Recognition Award and the Silver Award in the annual Society of News Design competition. Bill married Barbara Fox on January 24, 1993, at Santa Monica, CA. In 1993 he began working for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, MN as Design Director and later Assistant Managing Editor/Visuals where he was responsible for visual news presentation of the daily newspaper. In 2001 Bill moved back to his home- town of Grand Island accepting the editor position at The Grand Island Independent. Returning back home Bill rekindled his connections with the University of Nebraska at Kearney as a board member of their Alumni Board, serving from 1996 to 1999. You could see many of Bills Loper caricatures on various campus publications. He also epitomized Grand Island Central Catholic. His Crusader drawings can be found throughout the very heart of GICC since the 70s on athletic books, stationary, promotional materials, and drawings. He donated artwork annually for The Knight. He was a member of the GICC Foundation Board from 2002-2006 during which time he served as president of the board. He was active in the Heartland United Way, serving on the Board of Directors from 2009 to 2013. He helped with the annual Moo Claw fundraiser event. He was involved with the American Red Cross; Leadership Tomorrow - Class of 16, and on the Board of Directors from 2004 to 2008. He spearheaded the inaugural Duck Derby fundraising event for Leadership Tomorrow, designed the collateral for the annual event, and was instrumental in fundraising. He was an outstanding mentor for Teammates. His artwork is recognizable throughout the community and displayed at local shops such as the Prairie Winds Art Gallery where he had several shows as well as at Bartenbachs Interiors. For many years Bill taught the Quick Course with his journalism colleagues throughout the country for the Society of Newspaper Design. He was a member of St. Leos Catholic Church. Bill never met a stranger and never forgot a friend. He was always there to help those in need, comfort their sorrows, and celebrate in their joys. Bill was passionate about many things, first of which was his children and family. His passion for creative expression through art knew no boundaries. He was a committed journalist with the highest of ethics and integrity. Bills sense of humor was infectious. He had the gift of making everyone around him feel special. He had a tremendous sense of commitment to his community, often with the inability to say no to a request. He was a special gift to everyone who knew him and the Big Deal will be greatly missed! Memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic Foundation or the donors choice. He is welcomed into heaven by his father and an infant brother, Michael Joseph Dunn. Online condolences may be given and his video tribute viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Bills obituary.