William H. Dunn Sr. (1923 – 2026)
Kansas City lost a remarkable civic and construction industry leader with the passing of Bill Dunn, however, we did not lose the impact of his goodness that is felt throughout the community. He set an example of never stopping working and never stopping collaborating on important community needs and even more importantly impressing upon generations of future leaders, volunteers and fellow employees of JE Dunn the importance of giving back. It is accurate to say that Bill Dunn touched the lives one way or another of every person who lives or has lived in our community during the past few decades as either a builder of places or through his countless civic endeavors making the metro better for all.
Bill fit comfortably within an ecosystem of changemakers who consistently made bold moves to move Kansas City forward. The changemakers took turns, sometimes leading, sometimes supporting. Together they had bold and lasting impact. The names Bloch, Hall, Sosland, Helzberg, Kauffman, Baum, Stowers, Rowland, Sutherland, Dunn and a few others led by example, innovating and doing good things for our people and made Kansas City one of the most philanthropic communities in the country.
I met Bill Dunn Sr at a project meeting called by Hugh Zimmer. This was the beginning of a long and important relationship between JE Dunn and BNIM. I was immediately impressed by his kindness, confidence and generosity in that first meeting. He knew more about me than I knew about him—which as a young architect was a bit unnerving. He assured Hugh Zimmer that his colleagues—Fred Shipman, Steve Hamline and Spencer Jones were the right people to help him develop a new facility for Mobil Oil Credit Corporation and that he was in good hands. He was right—the project was extremely successful.
Following the introduction by Mr. Zimmer, BNIM and JE Dunn collaborated all across the city. The Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, The Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, The KCI Parking Garage, The UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, Science City at Union Station, H&R Block Headquarters, Sprint (the transformation of DST-Merriman properties across the west side of downtown), The Plaza Library and Colonnade, the IRS Service Center, Corporate Woods, Citicorp, Muehlebach Hotel, Crown Center, Citicorp, Children’s Center Campus, Camp Naish, The Kirk Family YMCA, JE Dunn renovations and new headquarters and many other projects. Today our teams are serving the community together at KU Medical Center, Roy Blunt Luminary Park and in creating the new Black and Veatch Headquarters.
I will always remember that first meeting with Bill Dunn and the little things that happened and mattered. Each of the projects above created opportunities to give back, directly or indirectly. I am grateful for all of the good things that followed as a result of our firms working together delivering the best of our businesses and how we learned to deliver more.
Over the years our interactions became more frequent in his role as builder, client, civic leader and advisor to political and business leaders across the City. Bill was always the same—gracious, positive and ready with up to date facts about a project our teams were collaborating on or a current community endeavor our firm was involved in. For me seeing him in these different roles serving his clients, his company and the community taught me that the community needed and benefited from Bill and others like Bill. To be a successful architect and business owner meant being engaged in community and giving back. He set a very high standard for each of us—that we each must become leaders and strive to be changemakers for the betterment of our communities.
What would he say to us today? Look around at all of the needs across the metro. Ask yourself what can I do to make a difference? I think he would say there is much to be done and it’s time to get to work. You can become a changemaker and ensure that what Bill worked so hard to do continues and Kansas City becomes better for every person.
Bill Dunn, thank you for helping us all be better.
Steve McDowell, FAIA
Principal, Architecture
ESOP Board of Directors – Chair
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Kansas City lost a giant.
Like so many in this community, I watched Bill Dunn Sr. from a respectful distance — but close enough to see what made him remarkable. His consistency, kindness, and genuine investment in the people and places around him.
Over three and a half decades I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many people from JE Dunn. What always struck me was the deep and genuine respect they had for Mr. Dunn, not just as a leader, but as a person. That kind of reverence says everything about the culture he stewarded and the example he set.
What I also know, through people who loved him dearly, is that behind the civic giant was an extraordinary family man. He kept his family close, kept them in Kansas City, and was surrounded by generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored him. That kind of legacy is as meaningful as anything built in stone.
He set a standard for what it means to show up for a city. And he did it for decades without fanfare.
Thank you, Mr. Dunn. Kansas City is better because of you.
Maria Maffry
Principal