Phillip Hunter

1930 - 2016

Phillip H. Hunter, Sr. - SAVANNAH - Phillip Harris Hunter, Sr., 86, passed away August 15, 2016 after a short illness. He was born May 28, 1930 in Waycross, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Harry and Grace Summerall Hunter, and his sisters, Jean Carroll, and Lillian Lindsay. Phil graduated from Savannah High School and attended Armstrong Junior College. He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. After returning home, Phil was employed by Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company as a salesman. Phil was the Vice President of Government Sales at his retirement after 38 years of service. In 1973, prior to his retirement, he and his wife, Bette, became entrepreneurs opening a business, Ye Ole Tobacco Shop, on the Savannah waterfront. They were pioneers to this area before the development of today's River Street. Later, they added Verdery's House of Lamps and Shades to their corporation. Along with their family and valuable employees, this enterprise has been a Savannah fixture for the past 43 years. Phil is best remembered for his lively spirit and life stories. He loved his family, friends, dancing, and music. Not a day went by that he did not make a new friend and he continued to work passed his 86th birthday. Phil and fellow business men met at Larry's Restaurant most every morning for breakfast and coffee sharing sales strategies and solving world problems. He traveled the world but he treasured his time on Isle of Hope and Tybee Island with family and friends. Phil is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Bette Graham Hunter, his son, Phillip, Jr. (Cynthia), his daughter, Kim Johnson (Stephen), sister-in law, Joan Hester Byrd, Grandchildren, Dr. Russell Kirks, Eric (Randi) Johnson, William (Emily) Hunter, Benjamin Hunter, and Shelby Hunter, and special son, Ed Cope, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren of whom he was very proud. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 19th at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 20th at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1008 Henry Street, corner of Waters Ave. and Henry St., A reception lunch will follow in the social hall. Interment will be at 3:00 pm in Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1008 Henry Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com. Savannah Morning News August 19, 2016 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannnahnow.com/obituaries.