Arthur Charles Bunnell, loving and beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend, passed away at the age of 74 on Monday, October 14, 2019.
Art, or Artie, as he was known to his friends and family, was born on February 10, 1945 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and moved with his family to Lynchburg as a child. After completing his studies at Hargrave Military Academy, Art graduated from the University of Richmond with a bachelor of arts, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Virginia. On December 23, 1966, he married Jane Cheryl Liggan. Together they raised a son, Ben, and a daughter, Elizabeth.
After spending some years as a teacher, Art decided to follow in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps and start his own business. He served as Founder, President and CEO of Bennie’s Homes Inc., a Lynchburg-based dealer of manufactured houses, for over 30 years. Art was also a past president, long-term board member, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient of the Virginia Manufacturing Housing Association.
Art was a spiritual man whose morning prayer was “This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” In Lynchburg, Art was a long-time member and elder at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, and upon retiring to Deltaville he and Jane became steadfast members of Christ Church Parish. Art cherished the deep friendships developed through his church communities.
Art loved life, adventure, challenges, and ice cream. Through his life, Art was at various times a runner, golfer, motorcyclist, boater, and pilot. Art was also a lifelong reader, writer and occasional poet, who journaled regularly. At the University of Richmond, Art was a proud member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and counted his fraternity brothers among his dearest lifelong friends. He had a great sense of humor, one of the many traits he passed to his children and grandchildren.
Art was preceded in death by his father Bennie, his mother Billie, and his brother Warren.
He is survived by his wife Jane; his sisters-in-law, Wanda and Pamela; two children Benjamin and Elizabeth; daughters-in-law Zoe Bunnell and Chelsea Silvernell; and his four grandchildren, Sophia, Arthur, Asher and Beatrice; as well as nephews, nieces, cousins, godchildren, and friends.
A memorial service for Art will be held at Westminster-Canterbury Richmond, 1600 Westbrook Rd., on November 18 at 11 a.m. with reception to follow.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Westminster-Canterbury Richmond Employee Christmas Fund.
