William Winter Hill Dunham

William Winter Hill Dunham, age 34, passed away at Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas on April 15, 2024 as a result of injuries sustained when he was hit by a drunk driver in downtown Austin while crossing the street.

Born on November 24, 1989, in Austin, Texas, he was the beloved son of David Barr Dunham and Joan Elizabeth Winter. He attended Casis Elementary School, O. Henry Middle School, Austin High School, and Garza Independence High School. After his sophomore year at the University of North Texas, William transferred to Texas State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

After a job on the set of a feature film production, he started William Winter Design, designing and manufacturing custom leather goods and jewelry. He loved to read and could generally be found with a dog-eared favorite in his pocket. Generous and outgoing, he would give away prized possessions to friends and strangers alike. He had a talent for connecting with all kinds of people and especially enjoyed talking about philosophy, and playing tennis and pool. His passion for fishing began as a boy, and he was perhaps happiest fishing at his special spot on the Blanco River in Wimberley in front of his family’s river house with his best friend Paul Van Middlesworth, or camping with friends at Krause Springs. William loved animals, especially his cat “Kittle.”

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Joan Winter and Christopher Anderson, his father and stepmother, David Barr Dunham and Cathy Price Dunham, older sister Hayden Frances Dunham, younger brother Patrick Worley Dunham, stepbrothers, Steven Price Sigler and Paul Anderson and stepsister Sarah Haverly.

His extended family includes his uncles, Allen and Mark Winter and Thomas and Paul Dunham, his aunt Leslie Johnston Winter, cousins Annie Winter Hershey, Kate Winter Huser, Ben Winter, Jake Dunham, Anne Elizabeth Hillyer, Scott Hillyer, Sherwood Hillyer, and his godparents: Burnes and Minnie Hollyman, Marshall Kuykendall, Jr., Barbara Cauble, Susan Giles, Anne Giles Jarvis, and Cliff Ernst. William leaves behind his girlfriend, Juliana Schaepe, and a host of devoted friends who will miss his keen wit, superb story-telling, and steadfast loyalty.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary team of nurses led by Sarah Eggers, who provided such skillful and compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held on May 4th at 10:00 AM at Jennifer’s Gardens, 1101 West 31st Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Austin Pets Alive.