WILLIAM ASHLEY HUNT

HUNT,

WILLIAM ASHLEY, 47

William Ashley Hunt, age 47, died in Oxford, MS, on 3 November 2013. He was born 27 January 1966 in Cocoa, FL, to Ronald L. Hunt and Sudye Cauthen Hunt. He was a member of the Class of 1984 at Santa Fe High School and the First Baptist Church in Alachua. He studied Graphic Design at Santa Fe Community College, managed a Pizza Hut, and was employed by the Division of Plant Industry in Gainesville, donated time to children's causes, and won prizes for his photography. In June of 1993, William married Mary Ellen James of Bruce, MS. They lived in Oxford where William established Finish Line Barbeque.

William loved the natural world, its animals, plants, stars, and weather. He snorkeled north Florida's rivers and springs and--fascinated by wild things--his childhood pets included dogs and cats, but also turtles, snakes, ferrets, iguanas, and a Black Widow Spider. As a teenager, he enjoyed driving his Uncle Willie Cauthen's truck through fields, ponds, and over fences in their pursuit of raccoons. He recently recorded his memories of Uncle Willie and his teenage explorations of north Florida where he became a certified scuba diver. He also rappelled and explored local caves as well as area archaeology near Florida's famed Bellamy Road. William was a sixth- generation Floridian and appreciated its history. He had many friends with whom he enjoyed Florida Gator games and NASCAR races. He also had an affinity for motorcycles.

In Mississippi, William gardened, hunted, and fished. He was an avid reader and a music lover who once had tea with Robert Plant when they met at the Delta Blues Museum. One of his Mississippi friends named his first child for William. Like his Uncle Willie, he was a storyteller and "always had a joke."

His wife, Mary Ellen James Hunt, and one daughter, Ashley Danielle Hunt, of Oxford, MS, and his mother, Sudye Cauthen of White Springs, FL; his aunt and uncle, Emily and Willy Wilkerson of Westville, FL, and his first cousin, Jim Wilkerson of Knoxville, TN, survive him. His father, Ron Hunt, and grandparents, Helene and E. L. Covell of Cocoa, predeceased him, as did his grandparents, Allen and Hortense Cauthen of Alachua.

A memorial service was held at historic Taylor United Methodist Church on 6 November 2013. Memorial donations may be made to Taylor UMC (P.O. Box 45, Taylor, MS 38673) and to Antioch Baptist Church (3612 NW 177 Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609).

A lifelong friend in Florida says, "He was fun-loving, never met a stranger, and was as charming as a prince. You couldn't have anybody who would be a truer friend."

His memorial service concluded with these words from 2nd Timothy 4:7- "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

Arrangements are under the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES. 311 South Main Street Gainesville, FL 32601

(352) 376-5361.