William M. Hunt

Rev. William “Bill” Massie Hunt, 72, of Lewisville, AR, passed away of congestive heart failure on January 27, 2015 in Texarkana, Texas Bill was the first of nine children born to Bill M. Hunt and Edna M. (Hill) Hunt on April 30, 1942 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He attended Washington Elementary School, Liberal Junior High and Liberal Senior High School in Liberal, Kansas. He was baptized at the Community Baptist Church, Liberal, Kansas. Bill worked for more than 20 years in the beef processing industry; in Liberal, Wichita and Dodge City, Kansas. Eventually, he changed professions and retired as a Bus Driver for the Wichita Metropolitan Transit Authority. Bill was an avid auto enthusiast and owned a wide-range of automobiles in his lifetime. His love of cars spanned from his first car, a 1958 Pontiac Convertible to his last, a 2014 Hyundai. He found much joy in attending car shows, watching automobile television programs or just holding casual conversations with anyone about cars. Bill also had a passion for grilling. He was known amongst family and friends for his famous baby back ribs. He liked to experiment with recipes, always looking for that perfect combination of flavors. There’s probably ribs in his freezer right now! Bill was ordained a Minister on September 17, 2000. He preached and served in Wichita, Kansas until 2011 when he moved to Arkansas and was appointed Assistant Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Lewisville. His love for the Bible was well known to his friends and family. As proof of his love for The Word, he would gladly share in any conversation about God’s word at any time and with anyone. He would often call family and friends to “expound on The Word” and provide clarity. Bill’s middle name was Massie. He would fondly recall stories of relatives in Oklahoma calling him “Ol Mansie” when he was just a child and he could not understand why they called him “old “or “Mansie”. He could always be counted on for a positive word and a jovial smile—both of which will be greatly missed! Bill leaves to mourn, wife, Ethel Rose Hunt of Lewisville, Arkansas. Sons: William Terry (Dulce) Hunt of Seattle, WA; Timothy (Karen) Hunt of Albuquerque, NM; Cedric (Yelena) Hunt of Savannah, GA; Shawn (Annette) Hunt of Wichita, KS. His daughters: Tawana Renee’ Hunt Bruce; Sabrina Hunt Watie; Cherron L. Hunt—all of Wichita, Kansas; 22 Grandchildren, 16 Great-grandchildren and 7 Step-Children - including Eric Henry of Dallas, TX. Brothers: Roosevelt (Denice) Hunt of Oklahoma City, OK; Moses (Eva) Hunt of Pittsburgh, CA. Sisters: Betty (Cliff) Portley of Wichita, KS; Joyce Johnson of Kansas City, MO; Alice (Larvell) Love of Lake Charles, LA; Annette (Larry) Butler of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Odie M. Hunt. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Bellee Hunt; 2 brothers, Lawrence Gene Hunt, and Andrew Hunt; and Betty Hunt the mother of his step-children; as well as his devoted four-legged friend Bruno. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 31st at 2 p.m. at Galilee Baptist Church in Lewisville, AR. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7th at 1 p.m. at Resthaven Mortuary in Wichita, KS. Special thanks to Mary Davis and Louise Lawrence and to the many other friends and church members from Lewisville, Arkansas where Bill spent the last years of his life.