William Kreuzer Tunney

William (Bill) Kreuzer Tunney, 78 of Bel Air, Maryland passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, after a near two-year battle with duodenal cancer.  

Born in Baltimore and raised in Towson, Bill was a 1963 graduate of Loyola Blakefield. From 1963-1966, Bill attended St. Charles Seminary in Catonsville, Epiphany Apostolic Seminary in New Windsor, NY, and Mary Immaculate Novitiate in Walden, NY. 

In the summer of 1966, Bill attended St. Joseph’s Seminary on Decatur Avenue in Southeast, D.C. and would later participate in the Head Start program, led by the Jospehite parish in East Baltimore, tending to families in need. This experience planted a seed for Bill to assist the underserved. 

In 1967, Bill felt his student deferment allowed for someone less fortunate to be drafted. Therefore, Bill decided to withdraw from the seminary, volunteered for the draft, and served in the army for two years. 

Bill attended Fordham University in 1969 where he majored in economics with a minor in mathematics and went on to receive a master’s degree in special education. 

After graduating, he returned to Maryland, where he met and married Kathy Dietzel in 1972.  Bill was a teacher, specializing in special education and mathematics from 1971 to 2005. He taught for 28 years for Baltimore County Public Schools and spent his final six years of teaching at Perry Hall High School.  

A devoted father and husband, Bill created fond memories for his children, family and their many friends, spending weekends at the cabin that Bill built with his son and a friend back in 1991. Just outside of New Germany State Park in Grantsville, MD, the cabin has been a prime spot for great adventures including skiing, biking, white water rafting, and swimming at Swallow Falls.

Friends and family still talk about Bill’s famous ghost stories, told beside a crackling fire.  Upon retirement, Bill was happiest with his loyal sidekick, Chico the chihuahua curled beside him as he enjoyed a hot cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, while reading a nonfiction book or reminiscing about his childhood days spent on the Farrell and Brawner farms. 

In his retirement, Bill volunteered as a tax preparer. He was an avid reader and writer, and submitted editorials that were published in newspapers, both locally and nationally.  Family and friends looked forward to any letter from Bill because they were often filled with much humor and love. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Kathy Dietzel Tunney; two children: Liam J. Tunney and wife, Carley, and Meghan G. Tunney; two granddaughters: Madeline and Grace; seven siblings: Marjorie Weart (Richard), Kathy Tunney, Joseph Tunney (Sandi), Francis Tunney (Sharon), Susan Black (John), Eileen Carmen, and John Tunney (Leslie); thirty-one nieces and nephews; nineteen great nieces and great nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Robert B. Tunney, Sr., mother, Mrs. Marjorie K. Tunney, three brothers, Robert B. Tunney, Jr., Michael Tunney, and Thomas Tunney, two sisters, Melanie Weart, and Mary Pat Young, and sister-in-law, Nancy Tunney.

Bill was a humble and spiritual man and every day he was determined to say, “This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  

Party in honor of Bill on January 13. 2024 from 2 to 6 pm.  Please text Liam at 410-808-9811 for details.