Detroit — Fr. William Lunnon had a lively interest in history, music and Scripture, said those who knew him.

“Fr. Bill was a scholar and an authority on Egyptian ancient history. He was also a teacher, who enjoyed and challenged his students,” said Adrian Dominican Sr. Maria Plain, referring to Fr. Lunnon’s years at Bishop Borgess High School in Redford Township.

Fr. Tyrone Robinson, pastor of St. Mary of Redford Parish, where Fr. Lunnon was in residence, said, “He loved Scripture, particularly the Old Testament, and was a history buff. He was a historian of African-American and African history and culture.”

And he “loved music of all types — jazz, classical, gospel, and R&B,” Fr. Robinson added.

Fr. Lunnon died May 28, after having been in poor health for a couple of years. He was 63.

Maceo Boozer, a friend since they were sixth-graders together at St. Leo Grade School in Detroit, said Fr. Lunnon had aspired to become a Jesuit priest until a bus accident when he was in his 20s left him permanently weakened.

“He was hurt real bad, and no longer had the strength to become a Jesuit, which really disappointed him,” Boozer said.

But Fr. Lunnon persevered in his intention to pursue a priestly vocation as a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Referring to Fr. Lunnon’s knowledge of Egyptian, Roman history, and the history of Christianity, Boozer said he and other long-time friends always found it “just amazing all the things he knew.”

He also liked to travel, Boozer added.

He was born Aug. 9, 1947 in Savannah, Ga., to William and Mary Agnes (Gartrell) Lunnon. He attended St. Mary Grade School in Savannah and St. Theresa, Visatation and St. Leo grade schools in Detroit, and then St. Leo High School. His formation was at Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township.

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on Dec. 11, 1982. He served as associate pastor of Precious Blood Parish, Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Suzanne/Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish, St. Gerard Parish, and Presentation/Our Lady of Victory Parish, all in Detroit; and as administrator of Precious Blood and St. Benedict the Moor parishes, both in Detroit.

Fr. Lunnon is survived by a brother, Dwight of Detroit.

A funeral Mass was celebrated last Friday, June 10, at St. Cecelia Church, Detroit.