Walter Hunt

Walter Hunt was born on December 5, 1928 to the late Elisha “Pete” Hunt and Ella (Hightower) Hunt. He was affectionately known as Chick to all his family and friends because he looked like a baby chicken when he was born. He was the youngest of 3 children, Gordon Hunt was the oldest and sister Ella Mae Jackson was the middle child. Sadly, Chick’s mother passed away when he was a baby. His grandmother Louise Hunt, known as “Ma” and his dad’s sister, Lucille Dillard played a significant role in raising him. To this day the Hunt’s and Dillard’s have a very close family bond.

Despite being very ill as a child, Chick grew up to be very healthy and strong. He was athletic and enjoyed boxing, a common interest of him, his brother and close friends. He often told stories of his prizefighter brother and dear friend Lee Bohles. Chick didn’t just use his hands for boxing, they were his primary work tool. In lieu of high school he went to trade school and learned automotive repair. He also learned to repair elevators, televisions and radios. He loved tinkering with things and believed he could fix anything. He was an excellent painter and made a career painting for the US Postal Service where he retired.

On April 7, 1951, Chick married his soul mate Mildred (James) Hunt, whom he loved dearly. Chick was drafted into the Army and a few short weeks after their wedding he shipped off to Army basic training. Their union produced one daughter, Karen Lynne Hunt. However, he missed her birth because he was in Korea where he served for 2 years as a Mess Sargent overseeing food preparation for the soldiers. The legacy of their union includes a grandson Kevin Anthony Hunt, a granddaughter Ananda Marie Hunt and a great-grandson Nyle Lynnox Hunt-Mann. Chick was a family man and took pride in being a provider. He wasn’t a big spender, but always made sure everyone had a little something in their pockets. He was also the family historian, the man behind the camera in most of the pictures his wife loved to share. One of his favorite gifts from his grandchildren was a digital camera and photo printer. He loved instantly producing the pictures and gifting them to anyone who visited.

Chick accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age and was a faithful member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church for over 70 years. He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice, but never joined the choir because he said he couldn’t memorize song lyrics. His karaoke machine was a prized possession and he routinely gave spontaneous solo performances whenever the mood struck him. Besides singing his other favorite pass times included, grilling in the summer, and traveling with his wife on cruises and bus trips to casinos. He had a curious mind and loved to read and learn about everything.

Walter was preceded in death by all of his siblings; his wife Mildred; his only daughter, Karen; and a great-granddaughter, Aloe Minah Hunt. Walter leaves to mourn a grandson, Kevin; a granddaughter Ananda; a great-grandson Nyle; a nephew Henry (Sara); and a host of other relatives and close friends.

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