William Scott (Bill) Dunbar passed away peacefully on April 24, 2026, at age 93 in Helena, Montana, just 4 days shy of his 94th birthday. He was surrounded by his loving family while he slipped peacefully across the divide during last rites.<\/p>\n
Bill was born April 28, 1932, in Portland, Oregon to Murray and Isabella Dunbar. He attended Portland public schools, then Portland State and Oregon State Universities. His college summer road surveying job took him to Burns, Oregon, where he met Helen McDonnell. Their wedding was June 4, 1954, in Burns, days after Bill graduated with a Civil Engineering Degree. A honeymoon on the Oregon coast followed.<\/p>\n
Bill was hired by the Federal Highway Administration after college. They welcomed their first three children in Portland (Maureen, Susan and Mary). He was a devoted father, with family always being his focus. Bill built their first home in Portland. Shortly after it was completed, he was offered a position in Helena, Montana, setting a new trajectory.<\/p>\n
The family settled on Highland Street in 1961 in Helena. Two more children joined the clan (Jim and Patty). Bill traveled a fair bit for his highway work as the interstate system in Montana took shape. There were always hikes, camping trips and winter adventures to fill the weekends.<\/p>\n
Bill leveraged his engineering background throughout his life. He helped build homes and cabins for numerous family members. As the first in his family to graduate from college, he encouraged all to further their education; helping his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with college costs.<\/p>\n
Bill was a runner, participating in the Governor\u2019s Cup race and Mt Helena run for many years. Tennis kept him fit and active into his 80s.<\/p>\n
2024 brought great sadness with the passing of son Jim then of Helen. Bill\u2019s faith pulled him through such times. He prayed daily for Helen, son Jim, great grandson Anthony, then the pope, the priests, the bishops and his family.<\/p>\n
Bill and Helen\u2019s marriage of 70 years matched two like-minded souls. Love one another was the central tenet. He will be sorely missed.<\/p>\n
He is preceded in death by great grandson Anthony Bjerke Erickson, son Jim Dunbar, and wife Helen Dunbar. He is survived by daughters Maureen Cole (Larry), Susan Bjerke (Ardine), Mary Rogers (Brad), Patty Rowsey (Russ), daughter-in-law Jackie Dunbar, grandchildren Hailey Cole (Quinn McCauley), Andrea McKeever (David), Leslie Poling (Brad), Jessica Bjerke-Owens (David Owens), Meaghan Bjerke (Paul Simonich), Maureen Bjerke, Caleb Rogers (Rachel), Lucas Rogers (Danielle Woolen), Lindsay Rogers (Robby Larkin), Emily Lewis (Ty), Ross Rowsey (Jenny), Rylan Rowsey, great grandchildren Payton McKeever, Addison McKeever, Joseph Poling, Kylie Poling, Alex Owens, Isabella Owens, Madelyn Simonich, Marshall Simonich, William Rogers, Claire Dunbar Rogers, Joel Rogers, Felix Rogers, Roxanne Rowsey, Ryder Rowsey, brother Kenny Dunbar and several nieces and a nephew.<\/p>\n
Thank you to Touchmark and Hospice for the excellent care and support and to Father Christopher Lebsock for the ministry of last rites which gave him the peace to slip away.<\/p>\n
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Peter\u2019s Hospice or Helena Food Share.<\/p>\n
A funeral at Saint Mary\u2019s is scheduled for Saturday, May 9th at 11:00.\u00a0 Lunch will be served following the service in the Social Center at Saint Mary\u2019s.<\/p>\n
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