Robert "Bill" William Hunter Jr.

Bill was predeceased by both of his parents, his two sisters, Lilly Martha Barnett and Gwynne R Boarers, and his wife, Jane Adair Hunter.

He is survived by his brother, Nathan Hunter of Knoxville, TN; his son, John Randy Haynes of Mt Ida, AR; his daughter, Debbie Lange of Charlotte, NC; his three grandchildren, Jessie Mann, Jennings Snider, and Slates Snider, all of Charlotte, NC; and his nephew, Charles A. Craig of Senatobia, MS.

Bill grew up in Brownsville, TN. After graduating high school, he joined the Army where he served three years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He was honorably discharged in 1963. In February of 1965, he married the love of his life, Jane Adair Slates. Over the subsequent years Bill worked for Goodyear, for First National Bank in Memphis, and for a short stint, he ran a Mercury boat dealership in Fort Smith, AR. In 1980, he joined Hickory Springs where we worked in sales for the next 22 years, ultimately retiring in 2002. Bill was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith and an affiliate member of the United Methodist Church in Joplin. In 1996 Bill and Jane built their retirement home in Joplin near Lake Ouachita. Bill loved the lake and was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed annual visits from his grandson, Jennings, during which the two of them would go fishing from sunup to sundown. In his younger years, Bill loved to dance and was known to “cut a rug” with his wife Jane any time he had the chance. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell a good joke or story. In his later years, Bill dealt with health issues, but that never stopped him from living his life to the fullest; Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be 9:00 AM Monday, February 20, 2023, with the funeral service to follow at 10:00 AM at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, 201 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Fort Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers include Gwinn's boat repair and Shangri la Restaurant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Northwest Arkansas Office, 5434 Walsh lane, Suite 100, Rogers, AR 72758 or go to http://www.cancer.org/