William "Earl" Hunter

William Earl Hunter, born April 1, 1960 in Raleigh passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2016 from complications from melanoma. Earl attended Sherwood Bates, Ravenscroft, the Governor’s Academy (previously Governor Dummer Academy) and Needham Broughton. Earl was smart, engaging, funny and witty. He did masterful impressions. Earl was the best athlete in an athletic family. He excelled in football, basketball, gymnastics, track and field and wrestling. Through middle school he was essentially unstoppable in any sport. Earl could do a standing back flip and would entertain his brothers and friends by walking up and down the steps at the “Big House” on his hands. Once on a bet with his brother Joe he swam three full lengths underwater at the Carolina Country Club pool. He invented dives at the pool that no one could duplicate. He was magnificent.

Earl was an excellent student and graduated with honors from Ravenscroft in 1978. He attended Duke his freshman year then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Drama and Literature. Earl was a life-long Tarheel fan, particularly in basketball. Earl was a gifted actor and singer. He had starring roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lost Colony, Hair, Unto These Hills, A Christmas Carol, and many Raleigh Little Theater productions. Earl moved to Atlanta to pursue his acting career where he landed roles in theater and several movies, including a part in Natalie Wood’s final film “Brainstorm”.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Richard “Dick” Samford Hunter and Anne Arendell “Kitty” Hunter. He is survived by his brothers Richard Samford Hunter, Jr. and wife Jane Messer Hunter, Banks Arendell Hunter and wife Sandlin Gaudette Hunter and Robert Vernon Hunter and wife Eleanor White Hunter all of Raleigh, brother Joseph McCrary Hunter and wife Anne van Roden of Seattle, Washington; nephews Richard Hunter, Ben Hunter and Banks Hunter; nieces Diana Hunter and her husband Stefano Fussi, Anne Hunter and Mary Ellen Hunter. Earl cherished his family and loved spending holidays, birthdays and other celebrations with his extended family.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 19th at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home at 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The family will have a private service at Oakwood cemetery on Wednesday, January 20th.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Earl’s honor to the Foundation of Hope, 9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC, 27617.