Skip to content

Dunnam, Cecil Wayne

wayne

Cecil Wayne Dunnam

Lifelong Wilcox County resident Cecil Wayne Dunnam, 61, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, after a brief, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Known for expert-level grilling for charitable events, knowledge of the outdoors and loyalty to friends, Dunnam worked for more than 25 years at Pine Hill containerboard and woodlands operations.  Also known for helping those in need without seeking credit, Dunnam was as comfortable being with the chairman of the board as he was with the laborer in the field. A fan of the University of Alabama, he was a friend to all he met and always asked the ladies to dance. Joining MacMillan Bloedel in 1990 as a technician at the company’s tree nursery and seed orchard, Dunnam went on to manage the customer hunting programs for MacMillan Bloedel and Weyerhaeuser Company for more than 10 years. In this capacity, he was hunting guide for customer and dignitary guests of the corporations, always making friends as he shared his knowledge and love of the abundant wildlife and beauty of the Black Belt region where he grew up. Most recently, he worked at the International Paper containerboard mill as first line leader for the central shop in the maintenance department.  Also at the paper mill, he had worked as planner and scheduler, area foreman and labor and relief supervisor, where he supervised college age workers in the mill’s summer student program, a position where he impacted many young lives. A graduate of Wilcox Academy, Dunnam attended Alabama Southern Community College and Troy University. During his career, he worked at Camden National Bank, now Community Neighbor Bank, as manager at Abston Chevrolet and owned and operated a convenience store and bait shop called Wayne’s Sport Shop. Dunnam served as Camden city councilman for one four-year term. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors for Wilcox Academy where he volunteered as cook, huntsman, motivator and in many other ways. He also volunteered with Boy Scout Troop 94 in Camden and was a life-long member of Camden Baptist Church. Funeral services for Dunnam were held Monday morning, Oct. 3, at Camden Baptist Church with former Camden Baptist Church pastor Eddie Davidson and current pastor Chris Wells officiating. Burial was at Camden Cemetery. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Tanya Bell Dunnam, sons William Jordan Dunnam of Camden and Cecil Wayne (Bo) Dunnam of Auburn, daughter Karon Dunnam VonCannon, her husband Scott and new granddaughter and namesake Cecile Bell VonCannon, all of Birmingham, along with his brother John W. (Stick) Dunnam of Camden. He was preceded in death by his parents, J. W. and Ernestine Dunnam. In addition, Dunnam leaves many in his home county who will greatly miss him including cousins, friends, coworkers and anyone who crossed his path. Pallbearers were Scott Ackerman, Steve Dufrene, Jimmy Garrett, Hal Huggins, Sammy Kennedy, Danny Long, Bill McEvoy, Edgar McGraw, Frank McGraw, and Robert Williams. Honorary pallbearers were George Alford, Twila Blackburn, Lindsey Brantley, Ester Burns, Ransom Cobb, Larry Gaston, Tommy Gregory, Tommy Hudson, Ricky Jones, Wes Kennedy, Don Lauderdale, James Lawler, Joe Lewis, Robert McKee, Earl Parrish, Elbert Rogers, Linda Vogel, Frank Walburn, Justin Walker, and Susan Williams. In lieu of flowers and in the spirit of Wayne helping others one last time, the family suggests memorial donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network supports research on this dreaded disease and offers programs and services to patients and their families. Pancreatic cancer is typically detected only after spreading, often leaving it incurable. Donations can be made by mail to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or online at www.pancan.org.

3 Comments

  1. Pat Smith Sanders on October 5, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    Wayne was a friend to all. I will miss him greatly and know he is in heaven with Blue and my brother Rusty. They are talking about old times and probably laughing out loud. Prayers of consolation are abundant for his family.

  2. Vanessa A Stephens on October 5, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Adding prayers for you & your family. God Bless.

  3. Katlynn Freeley on October 5, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    May Wayne rest in peace and all his family and friends know he is with Jesus. His many, many good deeds are being rewarded and he is shining down on all of us.

Leave a Comment