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William Hunter Obituary

William W. Hunter Jr.
Norfolk - On Jan. 1, 2013 William (Bill) Winslow Hunter, Jr. passed from this world to a better place after suffering from heart disease. He leaves behind a grieving family whom he served as their life's anchor. He is survived by his two daughters, Mary Lynn Askew, and Leigh Garrett; sons-in-law, George Askew and Mark Garrett; daughter-in-law, Linda Hunter; grandchildren, Blake Askew, Brittany Burnette, Hunter Garrett, Will Garrett, Erin Hunter, Ian Hunter, Corey Hunter; brother, Robert Hunter; and sister-in-law, Janet Hunter.
Bill was born in South Norfolk, Va. on March 26, 1930. He was predeceased by his parents, Nettie Earl Hunter and William Winslow Hunter; his wife of 51 years, Jessie Lee Hunter; and son, William (Win) Winslow Hunter, III.
He was a 1948 graduate of South Norfolk High School and initially continued his education at the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, where he was the first recipient of the G. Guy Via Scholarship Award and he also received the Niels Christiansen Craftsmanship Award. Bill continued his education receiving advanced degrees from Old Dominion University, William and Mary, University of Virginia, and ending with his doctorate in Physics from Virginia Tech. Bill retired from NASA in Jan. 1999. He served 37 years of dedicated and effective Federal Service at Langley Research Center. Bill found fun and excitement in wind tunnel testing, traveling to meet and learn from other physicists, and research.
His principal passion was his family; however, he also enjoyed tennis, running, sports cars, reading, and movies. After his wife's death in 2003, he filled a void in his life by tutoring math and expressing the value of education to students at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach.
Bill was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Yorktown. The Reverend Clara Gestwick will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, located at 300 Ella Taylor Rd., Yorktown, Va.
The family would like to express great appreciation to Bill's caregivers of three years who cared for him with compassion as if he were their family member. Also, Riverside ER doctor, Dr. Lawson and RN, Amy, who showed us compassion, spoke assuring words, and helped us through his passing. Bill will be missed by many. Love you dad.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Luke's Good Samaritan Fund, 300 Ella Taylor Rd., Yorktown, VA, 23692.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Jan. 3, 2013.
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I am very grateful to have known Bill at NASA. He was very helpful to me in my technical work and always knew just the right questions to ask to get to the root of a problem. I pray God's blessings, peace and grace on all his family.

Dan Neuhart

January 4, 2013

So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Georgette Braut Berryman

January 4, 2013

I'm saddened to hear of Bill's passing. I knew Bill from my first days at NASA in the early 1990s. He was a respected colleague, friend, and true gentleman. Thank you Bill, for your enthusiasm for research and for your encouragement along the way.

Gary Fleming

January 3, 2013

So sorry for your loss. You both were very good daughters and I know you dad appreciated you both.

Debbie Goldstein

January 3, 2013

Bill was my supervisor when I started working at NASA in 1980. I always liked and admired him. To this day I can still hear his distinctive laugh. What a great memory to have! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Joe Lee

January 3, 2013

Lynn, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Father. Trent

January 3, 2013

Lynn and Leigh, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Patty Wilkins Arnold

Patty Arnold

January 3, 2013

Leigh, Mark and family~

We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this diffult and sad time. I wish we could be there with you. Much love~

Paul and Sandy

January 3, 2013

Lynn and George,
So sorry to hear about your Dad. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Judy and Glenn Palmer

January 3, 2013

The world lost a good one yesterday. Bill and Jessie were dear to me growing up and the most dependable friends my parents could ever hope to have. My prayer is that my generation and ones that follow are as honorable and kind as their's. (In the meantime, I'll miss my yesterdays with such wonderful role models as this. They just seem too few and far between these days.)

Karen Smith

January 2, 2013

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