William "Bill" Hunter

William Charles (Bill) Hunter, Sr., 95, formerly of La Veta, Colorado, passed away Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 from a sudden illness in Duncan, Oklahoma. 

Mr. Hunter was born in Grapevine, TX to William Carl Hunter and Ova Lee Hardin Hunter Norris. After 20 years of active duty in the United States Navy, with service in WWII and the Korean War, Bill retired as Chief Petty Officer of Patrol Squadron 49. Mr. Hunter also later retired from the United States Postal Service. Bill and Lila Beatrice Walters were married in 1948 and were together 26 years until she passed away in 1975. He later married Wanda Lee Byrd Roberts to whom he was married for 34 years until her death in 2011.

Bill Hunter, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Bobbie Williams and his son-in-law, Johnnie Johnson. Mr. Hunter is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Hatfield of Midland, TX, and his children: Beverly Marie Johnson of Duncan, OK, William Charles (Bill) Hunter, Jr. and wife, Beth of Rome, GA, Janice Elaine Faught of Velma, OK and Cathy Barbee and husband, Alan from Colorado Springs, CO. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and one great-great-grandchild with another one on the way.

Mr. Hunter was a member of the Episcopal Church and, before moving to Duncan, OK three years ago, he lived in Colorado Springs and La Veta, CO, Garland, Tyler and Chapel Hill, TX, to name a few. In his lifetime, he loved to build furniture, paint, and make wooden toys and décor. Bill’s latest hobby was to find good places to eat. He loved his family, especially all his ‘grands’ and ‘greats’. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

A graveside service will be held Friday, the 14th of December at La Veta Cemetery in La Veta, Colorado at 11:00 AM with military honors provided by the Pueblo Veterans Ritual Team.