on May 8, 2019 at The Woodlands Healthcare Center, The Woodlands, Texas.
He was born in Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas on October 25, 1928 to the late Robert Lee
Hunter and Agnes Elnora (Harrison) Hunter. He was baptized in Lufkin, Texas and confirmed on June 7, 1950 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas by Rev. Elmo E Miertschin. His confirmation verse
was Revelations 2:10.
Bill lived with his parents and grandparents “Granny” Bertha and “Pa” Miles Wells Harrison on
the family farm. He helped his mother and granny tend their large gardens and sell vegetables.
His father was a sawman at the lumber mill. At age 10, Bill and his family moved to Keltys,
Texas. His father continued as a sawman at the Keltys lumber mill. Bill worked at the sawmill
with his father during his teenage years.
After moving to Houston, Bill met his beloved wife at a dance. He danced across the room to
take her in his arms to dance the Paul Jones. She became the love of his life at first sight. Nine
weeks later, he married Emma Lee Findeisen on June 26, 1949 in Columbus, Texas at St. Paul
Lutheran Church by Pastor Wolfe. They were married for 67+ years till Emma Lee’s death in
January 2017.
He was a faithful christian and loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a hard worker,
outdoorsman, friend and family man. He liked telling stories of his adventures with lots of wit.
He started his skills and craft by being a part of the crew that built the Washburn tunnel in
Houston during the late 1940’s. He perfected his skills to become a master tile setter and
applied his knowledge to start his own business as a ceramic tile contractor. He was very
successful and respected by the very finest home builders during the boom years in Houston
after WWII. He then built his dream home in Oak Ridge North becoming one of the leading tile
contractors in The Woodlands as it was being developed in the 1970’s. He continued using his
talents and skills until he retired at the age of eighty. Bill lived a life abundant in faith, love, joy
and of course, fun.
Bill loved outdoor activities. He loved traveling, camping, fishing, squirrel, and deer hunting. He
spent hours tinkering in his garage on his boat and camper. He had several big catches of
catfish at Marina Village Camping Club on Lake Livingston in Trinity, Texas. Bill and Emma Lee
took a vacation every year. Most memorable trips were to Mount Rushmore National Park,
Honolulu, Hawaii, and Niagara Falls.
Bill and Emma Lee also loved dancing, especially square dancing with the Belles & Beaus and
Springalings Square Dance Clubs. Bill cherished his pets. He bred and raised German
Shepherd puppies. His German Shepherds were named Duke, April, King, Cadet, and Fritz. In
recent years his Rat Terriers’ were named Minnie, Mickey and Dolly.
William Howard Hunter is survived by his three children; Rose Marie (Hunter) Benton and
husband Carl Frank Benton III of Cypress, Texas; Howard Herman Hunter and wife Sherry
Hunter of Conroe, Texas; and Hermadine Ann (Hunter) Jenkins of The Woodlands, Texas.
Seven grandchildren; Amy Dean and husband Justin; Ross Benton and wife Brandyce; Debra
Benton; Jonathan Hunter; Ashley (Hunter) Japczynski and husband Chris; Hannah (Doyle)
Bond and husband Aaron; and Aaron McGowen. Thirteen great-grandchildren; Asher Dean,
Gideon Dean, Naomi Dean, Rebekah Dean, Brock Loper, Brooke Benton, Marshall Osborne,
Christopher Hunter, Logan Hunter, Juliette Hunter, Clara Mae Bond, Brayden Bond and Levi
Bond. Also survived by his loving brothers Robert “Bobby” F. Hunter of LaPorte, Texas and Joe
Ed Hunter of Mobile, Alabama. Also numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
William H. Hunter is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Bertha (Baseke) and Miles
Wells Harrison; sisters, Maggie Pearl (Hunter) Conkling; Bertha Lee (Hunter) Willmon; Juanita
(Hunter) McLennan; and brother LeRoy Hunter.
A visitation will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home on May 17, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Living Word Lutheran Church on May 18, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. A graveside service will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Cemetery on May 18, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
