For more than 45 years, William Louis Dunbar (aka "Bar" and aka "Butch") distinguished himself as a community leader, prolific orator, caring and dedicated educator, mentor, counselor and friend to youth. Through his passionate instruction and unwavering guidance, thousands of students have matriculated to institutions of higher learning and excelled in various fields of endeavor.

Mr. Dunbar was an extraordinary teacher who motivated, challenged and inspired "diamonds in the rough" to strive to achieve in spite of adverse circumstances and obstacles. He instilled a strong sense of character, pride, and discipline in his students, which he believed were much-needed tools for inner-city youth to defy the odds and make their mark in society.
The impact he bestowed on the lives of young people since 1966 at Joseph E. Beck High School in Greenville, South Carolina as well as Nyerere Education Institute and New Brunswick High School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, is immeasurable and extended far beyond his job description as an English Teacher. Mr. Dunbar operated with an unyielding and relentless commitment to encourage, equip, and empower each and every student he encountered to further their education at a college or university. His model was "No Excuses!"

Growing Up in South Carolina
Mr. Dunbar is a 1962 Graduate of Lincoln High School in Taylors, SC where he served as the Head Drum Major of the Lincoln High Rattlers Marching Band for 4 years. He joined Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Greer, SC as a child under the leadership of the late Reverend John Columbus "JC" Jackson; and rejoined upon retiring and returning to South Carolina in 2011.

Educational Background
Mr. Dunbar is a graduate of Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. He furthered his studies in New Brunswick, New Jersey at the Rutgers University Summer Program for Linguistics. 

Making an Impact in New Brunswick, NJ
Mr. Dunbar's teaching style was unique for an urban classroom setting. He constantly exposed students to college level curriculum, refined levels of literature (including works of William Shakespeare, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edgar Allan Poe), advanced public speaking symposiums and rigorous writing exercises, believing in them every step of the way. He had an innate ability to capture and open young minds to doors of opportunity through education. Mr. Dunbar also invited former students to "come back" and "give back" by sharing their college experiences as a testimony that the pursuit of higher education can be attained.
When students walked into his classroom they entered an atmosphere filled with collegiate paraphernalia. All four walls were draped with multi-colored flags, banners and posters representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). The spirit, energy, and excitement of a college environment permeated the room and stimulated the realm of possibility amongst its inhabitants. 


His mission to prepare students for college was advanced through the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Players, a youth organization he founded in 1968 following the assassination of Dr. King. This organization cultivated student leadership and promoted the performing arts. The King Players presented a dramatization of the life and times of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through oratory, prose, poetry and music. A key component of the King Players organization was its Southern Education Tour, which functioned as a catalyst for young people to visit HBCU’s throughout the southern region of the United States.
Mr. Dunbar also established the Annual Carter G. Woodson National Recognition Symposium at New Brunswick High School in September 1998, which acknowledged a select group of graduating seniors for their academic achievement, leadership and community service. Each year, the Woodson Symposium, attended by school administrators, teachers, parents, alumni, family and friends, was a wonderful event for student honorees to publicly announce their college choices and career aspirations.

His untiring commitment and efforts resulted in millions of dollars in college scholarships and awards to offset costs and expenses for students' tuition, room and board, computers and books. Without a doubt, he was a loving and passionate educator who truly made a difference in the lives of youth.

Some of Mr. Dunbar's other activities at New Brunswick High School included: Advisor of the African American Culture Club; Advisor of the After School Leadership Club; and Advisor of the Incentive Scholars Program. Furthermore, he was the Founder of the Brotherhood Club and Miss Black Experience Pageant; and Project Leader and youth mentor for the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick.

Mr. Dunbar was a faith filled believer of God who was an active member of Sharon Baptist Church for over 25 years. He was an integral part of the youth, hospitality, and announcement ministries. Mr. Dunbar will be best remembered for incorporating classic Black History quotes in his church greetings to visitors on numerous Sunday mornings. In addition, he was the 2010 recipient of the Brotherhood Sunday Award for his outstanding contributions to the Sharon Baptist Church congregation and the greater New Brunswick community.

Returning to South Carolina
Mr. Dunbar returned to South Carolina after he retired from the New Brunswick Public School District in 2011. He then rejoined the Cedar Grove Baptist Church family and made an indelible mark as a member of the Cedar Grove Anniversary Celebration Committee and Brotherhood Auxiliary. He also served as the Organizer of the Cedar Grove Bus and Hammond Organ Fundraising Rallies. His most prominent contribution was the founding of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Servants of the People. This special initiative entailed a dramatic tribute to the life and times of the late Reverend Dr. King, Jr. which galvanized audiences at Cedar Grove the past 3 years with performances titled, "Let the Church Say Amen" (2013), "When the Saints Go Marching In" (2014) and "His Truth is Marching On" (2015).

Awards & Achievements 
A few of his countless achievements and recognitions include: Joseph P. Whitehead Education Award --- given to 250 educators across America; Knights of Columbus Teacher of the Year; New Brunswick Council for Youth Award; and North Enoree Recognition Award. He was also a member of Superior Lodge 215 of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World in which he made a huge impact on the organization's programming for youth, especially the development of young orators from the New Brunswick community who won several Elks Oratorical competitions at the local, state and regional levels. 

Family
Mr. Dunbar was predeceased by his parents, Ed Dunbar and Icola Thompson Dunbar and a brother Anthony Dunbar. Surviving are two brothers, JD Dunbar and James Dunbar (April); two aunts, Eloise Dawkins and Louise Massey, and a host of relatives and friends. 
Services

Mr. Dunbar will lie in state Saturday July 4, at 10:00 AM in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church followed by Funeral Services at 11:00 AM. 
Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

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