Walter Skellie Hunt III

Skellie was raised in Raleigh, attending Raleigh public schools, Virginia Episcopal School where his football coach said he was the best lineman he ever coached, and Broughton High School where he met his future bride, Sally Kesler. Skellie graduated with a B.S. Degree from NC State.

After working for Superior Stone Company and later for Holland Construction Company, Skellie went into the real estate development/construction business. Over the next 25 years Skellie built several housing developments including the Fountainhead and Quail Forest Apartments in Wilmington, the Whitehall cluster homes and Forest Oaks Apartments in Raleigh as well as numerous single family homes in the Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach area. More recently he was International Chimney Corporation's project manager charged with the incredible task of moving the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to keep it from falling into the Atlantic Ocean. For this effort, the company won the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award of Merit.

Skellie and Sally spent most of their adult lives in Wilmington where they were members of Saint John's Episcopal Church and later Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church. Skellie was a strong Christian man that never met a stranger. His "Skellieisms" such as "take the rest of the day off" were famous. He loved the Lord Jesus and reflected that by his involvement in Young Life of Wilmington. Skellie celebrated life to the fullest and did not hold back. His love of God was strong, and his love of life contagious. He passionately, courageously and actively defended God and His Word. His unexpected humor was ever present.

He was a great source of strength and help to his family, friends and community. As Jesus welcomes one of His strongest followers, we mourn the loss of one of our dearest.

Skellie married Patty Asher in February 2009 and they enjoyed three fun filled years living in Atlantic Beach and Raleigh and traveling around the world.

He was predeceased by his wife Sally Kesler Hunt, his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Walter S. Hunt, Jr. (Miriam); and step mother Carolyn Ballard Hunt.

He is survived by his wife Patty; children, Walter Skellie Hunt, IV and wife Sandy; Leigh Ester and husband Buddy; Lindsay Sylvester and husband Ward; brothers Sen. Neal Hunt and wife Duden; Rev. Hall Hunt and wife Helen; sister in law Marianne Saylor and husband Mike; step sister Linda Grew and husband Rob; step brothers John Ballard and wife Carol; and Raymond Ballard and wife Beverly; step sister Linda Wargin and husband Kurt; and step brother Bill; step children Sheri Passalino and husband Jim; Britt Thomas and husband Michael; and David Asher and wife Dina; grandchildren Skellie Hunt V, Elliot Hunt, Sloan Hunt, Mary Hayden Ester, Lindsay Ester, Allison Ester, Ward Sylvester, Sallie Sylvester and John Hayden Sylvester; Carlie Passalino, Liza Passalino, Anna Grace Passalino, Cooper Thomas, Eli Thomas, Bradford Asher and numerous nieces and nephews.

Skellie's life will be celebrated at St. Timothy's Episcopal church on Six Forks Road in Raleigh on Wednesday at 11 o'clock