J.W. Hunter

HUNTER, J.W., 84, went home to be with the Lord May 7, 2008. He was a child of God, as he had trusted in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. He served as a deacon of Central Baptist Church, Lithia, and was a member of a pioneer family of east Hillsborough County and a lifelong resident of Keysville, Fla. He leaves a legacy that includes his loving wife of 60 years, Fay Nell Hunter. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, June. J.W. is also survived by three daughters, Charlotte Corbett (Hoss), Beverly Christopherson (Alan) of Lithia, and Gail Brotherton (Steve) of Atlanta, Ga.; one son, Wayne Hunter (Rhonda) of Ocala, Fla.; ten grandchildren; six great-grand-children and one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Verna Sapp of Gainesville, Fla., and Dorothy Pelham (Leon) of Auburndale, Fla. J.W. was a World War II U.S. Navy combat veteran. He survived five major sea battles in the South Pacific, receiving the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Okinawa. He retired from Mobile Chemical Corp as general manager of the Fort Meade mine. The family received friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Seigler Funeral Home in Mulberry, Fla. There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Central Baptist Church, Lithia, Fla. His son, Wayne Hunter, former pastor Pete Strickland, and pastor Clint Ellis will officiate. Arrangements have been entrusted to Seigler Funeral Home Mulberry, Fla