 DUNN, BJ (BILL) passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, January 10, 2014 at the New Mexico State Veterans Center in Truth or Consequences, NM. Billy James Dunn was born to A.L. and Erma Dunn in Alamogordo, NM on December 11, 1930. He grew up in Alamogordo and Ruidoso, NM. He graduated from Alamogordo High School in 1948, and he later graduated from New Mexico State University with a ROTC scholarship and was on the 1951-1952 Basketball Team which made it to the NCAA finals in Kansas City. He fulfilled his ROTC officers training by becoming a Rifle Instructor at Ft. Benning, Georgia. On February 3, 1953 while in Ft. Benning, he married Mildred Jean "Middy" Coffee of Truth or Consequences, NM. Bill worked for the First National Bank of Alamogordo at the White Sands Branch for several years. He created the Sands Finance Company in Tularosa and Alamogordo, NM. He was a lobbyist at the N.M. Legislature. He purchased Credit Bureaus in Portales, Hobbs, Lovington, Clovis, NM and then Seminole and Denver City, Texas. In 1973 he was named Young Executive of the Year by Associated Credit Bureaus, Inc. He was a great boss and was one of the first Credit Bureau owners in New Mexico to computerize all the credit records in his area. He was active in the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, becoming President of both organizations during the early 80's. In 1985, he sold his businesses and made an early retirement to Ruidoso, Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. He came out of retirement to go back into business under the name of Collectrite until 1990. He was active in the New Mexico Credit Association serving as President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer. He helped craft the Regulations for the New Mexico Collection Agencies. Bill and Middy were married for fifty years until her death on February 12, 2003. He found love again with Patricia Dunlap of Hobbs, NM and they were married September of 2004. Eventually, he moved to the New Mexico State Veterans Center in Truth or Consequences, NM where he lived the rest of his days. Survivors include his wife, Patricia D. Dunn of Hobbs, NM; daughters Julia Dunn of San Francisco, CA and Bobbie Jean Dunn-Komarek of Munich, Germany; sons Glenn Aubrey Dunn of Tucson, AZ, and John Jay Dunn of Houston, TX; granddaughter, Devon Harrah Dunn of Boston, MA; and grandsons Ryan and Taylor Dunn of Tucson, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Aubrey L. Dunn, Sr.; and wife, Mildred Dunn. Bill was a big man at Six Foot Six inches tall, but bigger was his Humor, his Generosity, and his Love for his Family, Home State of New Mexico, Community and Fellow Human Beings. He will be missed, he is loved and forever in our hearts. Cremation will take place and a Memorial Celebration Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc. & Sierra Crematory, LLC, 303 N. Cedar St., T. or C. (575/894-2574). For online condolences please visit www.kirikosfamilyfuneralhome.com
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