Walter Lee Hunt, Sr.

Walter Lee Hunt, Sr., age 87 transitioned on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Walter Hunt never met a stranger. If you were in a room with Walter, he would greet you and engage you in a genuine conversation that came with a smile, a funny remark, and a positive word.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, to Samuel and Clara (née Miles) Hunt, and fondly called “Billy” by family and friends, Walter was educated in Metro Nashville Public Schools, already demonstrating the warmth, confidence, and caring that would define his life.

Walter proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. After his military service, he began a career with TVA as a journeyman lineman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), bringing to every job the dependability that friends and family counted on throughout his life. If Walter said he’d get it done, he would get it done.

Committed to education and personal growth, Walter later enrolled in Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and receiving numerous honors.

Service was Walter’s life. He worked as a counselor in the DUI program for the Nashville Metropolitan Government and as a drug and alcohol counselor for Nashville Auto Diesel College and several Nashville-area corporations. From 1978 to 1988, he served as congressional liaison to Representative Bill Boner, coordinating community activities and assisting constituents across Tennessee’s Fifth District. His public service continued as a special assistant in the mayor’s office under then-Mayor Boner. He later became executive director of the Metropolitan Action Commission, serving under five mayoral administrations. Walter retired from Metro Government in 2000 as assistant director of community services at Metro Social Services. He made many friends during his years of government service and maintained many of those connections for decades, including regular lunches with Julius Sloss, David Smith, and Boner.

Even after retirement, Walter continued to serve his community as a substitute teacher, working closely with at-risk middle school students and offering them structure and encouragement to do better and be better.

He gave generously of his time in community leadership. He served as vice president of the Tennessee Association of Community Action Agencies and contributed to numerous boards and advisory committees, including Control Data, the Northwest YMCA, Belmont College’s Criminal Justice Advisory Board, and the Cohn Adult Learning Center. He was a proud founding member of the 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee Chapter and an active member of the Tennessee Leadership Roundtable.

From 2006–2015, Walter represented District 3 on the Metropolitan Nashville City Council. He believed in strong communities and understood that public service was more than policy; it was about people. He valued open communication and accessibility and never forgot the importance of meeting his constituents’ needs with dignity and care.

There was so much more to Billy than his titles and accomplishments. He loved to travel, and he especially loved the beach. He was a wonderful cook, having been taught by his mother. He enjoyed entertaining, and one of his great joys was recently hosting the family reunion he’d talked about for 30 years—welcoming relatives from near and far, laughing loudly, and fondly reminiscing.

Above all, Walter loved the Lord and was anchored in faith, evidenced in how he treated people. He worshipped for many years at The Temple Church before joining Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 2025. His treasured book of the Bible was Deuteronomy, and his favorite biblical figure was “Old Man Job,” perhaps a reflection of Walter’s respect for endurance, honesty, and faith.

Walter was predeceased by his sister, Barbara “Bob” Pope; his brother, Harold “Dee” Hunt; and his bonus daughter, Annetta “Micky” Sweat.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cathy; son, Walter “Lee” Hunt, Jr.; bonus children, Brenda “Joy” Shull, James “Trey” Roberts III, and Eric Roberts; siblings, Samuel “Sam” Hunt, Jr., Catherine “Cookie” Summers, Sandra “Faye” Smith, and Thomas “Tater” Hunt; godchildren, Maleah Pointer-Owens and Patrick “PJ” Pointer, Jr.; and many beloved grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Walter “Billy” Hunt leaves a legacy of service and leadership, but just as importantly, a legacy of warmth. He was a friend to everyone, helped whoever he could whenever he could, and made people smile and feel seen. His impact will continue to be felt, remembered, and cherished by family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and constituents.