William Edward Dunston

Mr. William Edward Dunston, age 72 of Sanford, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Saturday June 19, 2021 at First-Health Hospice House in West End, NC.

Mr. William Edward Dunston was born on November 11, 1948. God called him to eternal rest on Saturday June 19, 2021, while at First health Hospice House, West End, North Carolina at the age 72.

We gather to honor and cherish the life of one of God’s most precious angels. He was one of seven children born to the late parents of Jimmy James Dunston and Willie Dunston.

He grew up in Montclair, New Jersey where he went to grade school then attended High School at Central High School in Newark, NJ; before moving to Sanford, North Carolina where he last resided. 

Everyone who knew William would call him “Bill”, “Billy” and “Uncle Billy”. He was a devoted father, grandfather, uncle, brother, caregiver, and a loving friend. He had a passion for planting flowers, cooking, and going fishing with his longtime friend, Roy Stone. William Loved spending time with his family and grandchildren with the joy of laughter he had with them. William was a great listener to anyone who came to him for advice especially his granddaughter Sharika who loved him dearly.

William is preceded in death by one son William “Bang Bang” Tanksley; his parents Jimmy James and Willie Dunston; grandson, Quinton Phillip “Papoose” Barnette; three brothers Willie “Frank” Dunston, Robert “Bobby” Dunston and James “June” Dunston Jr., and one sister Sarah J. Dunston;.

His lives through his wife, Tenishia Dunston;  five children Natosha Dunston from Brookyln, New York; Terrence Dunston from Fayetteville, North Carolina; Anthony Tanksley from Savannah, Georgia, David Tanksley from Newark, New Jersey and Sloan Johnson from Augusta, Georgia; he also leaves stepchildren; two sisters Libbie Artis from Henderson, NC and Elizabeth Bass - Willie Bass from Oxford, NC; grandchildren Sharika Dunston, Aylana Dunston, Kendall Dunston, Tyshon Breeden, Makiya Richardson, and Faith Cameron all from Spring Lake, NC, Wuzir Bellamy from Pennsylvania, and Duke Bellamy from New Jersey; special niece Ashia Cheatham; a host of grandchildren, great  grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Sanford