John W. Hunt

John William Hunt, III, began his earthly journey on Wednesday, October 1, 1958 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, to loving parents, John W. Hunt, Jr., and JoAnn Lovelace-Hunt McCrary. His father, two brothers: Michael Hunt, Richard Hunt and brother-in-law, Ricky Wills preceded him in death.

He professed his love for Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Concord Missionary Baptist Church where he sang with the Male Chorus.

John received his formal education in the Hamilton County School System and he was a graduate of Brainard High School with the Class of 1976. Furthering his education, he attended Austin Peay State University where he earned degrees in Public Management and Criminal Justice and graduated with the Class of 2008. He enjoyed an illustrious career with the City of Clarksville Police Department, attaining the rank of Detective Sergeant and retiring on October 31, 2018 after 37 years of dedicated service. He was also employed with Austin Peay State University Police Department for three years.

On April 11, 1989, he was united in holy matrimony with Lisa Wills and this union was blessed with three children.

John loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed membership with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Fraternal Order of Police; Clarksville Police Department Youth Coalition; as Chairman of the Beer Board and Chairman of Housing Authority Board. He served as a “background actor” for Universal Studios and DreamWorks; he was an avid coin collector and enjoyed going to the firing range. All who knew and loved him will sorely miss his presence and smiling face.

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, John answered God’s beckoning call to cease from his earthly labors and entered into the Master’s joy!

He leaves to cherish precious memories his devoted wife of 35 years, Lisa Wills-Hunt; daughter, Brenda Harris; sons: Tony P. Barefield, Jr., and Jamel Hunt; daughter-in-law, Gidget M. Barefield, all of Clarksville, TN; eight grandchildren: Jamel Hunt, Jr., Aiden Hunt, Amayan L. Barefield, Trevon P. Barefield, Dustin Barr, Matthew Slaton, Raymond Perry and Laila Perry; sisters-in-law: Mary Burney, Debra Sanders, Eula (Ronnie) Fisher, Maria Johnson, all of Clarksville, TN and Denise Wills, CA; brothers-in-law: Johnny Wills, AR and Frank Wills, Memphis, TN; aunts: Betty Miller, Clarksville, TN, Diane Mason, Gwendolyn Taylor and Annie Mae Hunt, all of Chattanooga, TN; uncles: William Lovelace, Atlanta, GA and James (Ernestine) Lovelace