William Vance Dunnam, Jr.September 28, 1927 ~ July 12, 2006 William Vance Dunnam, Jr., 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 in Waco, Texas, after a lengthy illness. Services will be at First United Methodist Church, 4901 Cobbs Drive, Waco, Texas. Visitation with family will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church with the services following at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 15. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The service will be presided over by Rev. Stephen Ramsdell and Rev. John A. Wood Bill was born in Waco, Texas, September 28, 1927, to William Vance Dunnam and Verna Woods Dunnam. He married Nancy Duff on March 22, 1969. Bill graduated from Waco High School and at the age of 17 joined the Navy V5 Naval Air Command and served during World War II. Upon completion of his naval service, Bill received a B.A. Degree from the University of Texas and a Law Degree from Baylor University. During the Korean War, he joined the United States Air Force and served as a Judge Advocate. He practiced law with his father, W. V. Dunnam, Sr., naming the law firm Dunnam & Dunnam in 1950, where he remained a partner until the time of his death. Bill was primarily a trial lawyer, trying hundreds of cases in both State and Federal Courts, and in appearing in the United States Supreme Court. Bill authored Texas Criminal Defense Forms Annotated, a book which is used throughout the State by attorneys. He was Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law, Civil Trial Law, Family Law and Personal Injury Law, a distinction achieved by very few lawyers in Texas. Bill was also recognized as one of the Preeminent Lawyers in the United States. Bill was a charter member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and a founding fellow of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute. Throughout his career, Bill won dozens of landmark cases of national importance, ranging from military courts martial procedure to products liability. While his work resulted in numerous judicial milestones, Bill never refused to help young lawyers with their cases and would spend whatever time was necessary in helping others. Inability to pay a legal fee never prevented Bill from representing someone with a just cause. Bill was active in the community, being a member of Masonic Lodge #92, the Waco Scottish Rite and the Karem Shrine. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister. Survivors include his wife, Nancy of Waco; daughter, Vanice Jane Dunnam, of Austin; son, Robert H. Dunnam, and wife, Linda, granddaughter, Courtney Michelle Dunnam, and great-grandson, Robert Quenton Dunnam, all of Irving, Texas; brother, Vance Dunnam, and wife, Merrilee, of Waco; nephews, Vance Dunnam, Jr. and Jim Dunnam of Waco; nieces, Cathy Pleitz, of Waco, Elaine Rogers and Linda Swisher of Dallas. Pallbearers are Johnnie Ash, Ed Boles, Jeff Bowden, Maurice Campbell, Macky Evans, Robert Fadal, Sam Harper and Charles M. McDonald. Honorary pallbearer is John Bowden. Bill was known as a person who lived life to the fullest extent, and he will be missed by his many friends, family and the community. For those who desire, the family would designate Providence Hospice for memorials, and the family would like to thank the staff at St. Catherine's Center and Providence Hospice for the loving care given to Bill during his final illness.