Wilton G. Hunter Sr.

Wilton Gray "Tink" Hunter Sr., 78, of Matoaca, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at his residence.

He was the son of the late Raymond E. and Lillie Hunter. Mr. Hunter was a U.S. Air Force veteran, and has been a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church since 1967. He was also a member of Colonial Heights American Legion Post 284. Tink had several occupations throughout his life. A native of Campbell County, he grew up on a farm, and established a reputation as a diligent worker with a strong work ethic. At 16, he worked on a Dr. Pepper delivery truck and earned many prizes for salesmanship. At that time he also had a newspaper motor carrier route in Lynchburg wherein he only received Christmas Day off. In 1952, he entered the Air Force and served a total of eight years as a jet mechanic and crew chief for B-47s. Upon leaving the service, he returned to Lynchburg to work as assistant circulation manager for the Lynchburg newspaper. In 1967, he became circulation manger for the Progress-Index newspaper in Petersburg. In 1980, Tink also worked for and eventually retired from Philip Morris. After retirement, he also worked for Southside Auto-Auction until the summer of 2008.

Mr. Hunter met his wife June Elizabeth Cheatham at her grandfather and uncle's store, "The Cheatham Store," and married her on Sept. 11, 1948, when he was 18 and June was 17 years old. June followed Tink in the Air Force where they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Pam.

Mr. Hunter was an avid hunter and fisherman who shared this love with his older brother. He played softball into his 40s and coached his son's baseball team. Tink also had a favorite hobby of woodworking and made several special projects for the Wesley United Methodist Church Bazaar and fellow parishioners. He was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

Tink loved his family with all his heart. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a special relationship with his daughter, Pam, and her loss was very painful for him.

Mr. Hunter was preceded in death by a brother, Macolm Hunter; a sister, Frances Hunter Hamlett; daughter, Pamela Ann Hunter Suter Claytor; and a nephew, Jeff Dudley.

Tink leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of over 60 years, June Elizabeth Cheatham Hunter; son and daughter-in-law, Wilton Gray Jr. and Diane Theresa Strother Hunter; granddaughter, Allison Gray Suter Rouse and husband Brian; grandsons, Wilton Gray Hunter III, Travis Scott Hunter, and Neil Patrick Hunter; great-granddaughter, Hannah Gray Rouse; son-in-law, Roger Claytor; sister, Mary Jane Hunter Dudley; niece, Barbara Ann Hamlett Booker Roach; and nephew, Greg Dudley.

A funeral service will take place at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 3701 Conduit Road, Colonial Heights, at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, with the Rev. Al Thorne officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Chester. The family will receive friends at the church Tuesday evening, Feb. 10, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to either Matoaca High School Special Olympics (Please make checks payable to Matoaca High School, Acct. B.260, 17700 Longhouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23838) or the Wesley United Methodist Church. Services provided by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard.

Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.