F.G. (Bill) Hunt

Fairis Glenn (Bill) Hunt, 76 a longtime Fort Sumner businessman died Thursday, February 13, 2003 at his home. Bill was born December 30, 1926 in Wheeler, TX, the son of Thuron Hamilton Hunt and the former Zula Vivian Shelton. He was reared at the family homestead at Duro, NM and attended school at Vaughn, NM. As a youngster Bill worked as a cowboy for the Overton Ranch, he also worked for the railroad for a short time. He enlisted in the U.S.Navy on January 17, 1945 and served with the 11th, 35th, and 115th Construction Battalion. His military citations include the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon, American Area Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, and the Vicotry Medal World War II. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Coxswain on July 23, 1946. Following his military service Bill worked at College Inn in Chicago, IL before moving to Fort Sumner in 1955 where he worked for the Rio Pecos Truckstop. Bill purchased a gas service station on north Fourth Street in Fort Sumner. He owned and operated Bill Hunts Service Station for many years. He later added a grocery store to the business. Bill married Beryl Armstrong in Fort Sumner on July 23, 1958. Bill and Beryl continued to operate Hunt’s Service Station until his retirement in 1995. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, an infant twin brother James McFarland Hunt in 1926; Thuron Hamilton Hunt Jr. in 1939, and Lon Best “Pete” Hunt in 1988; and one sister Lois Anita Overton. Survivors include his wife Beryl Hunt of the family home in Fort Sumner; two sons Robert “Bob” Hunt and wife Karla of Fort Sumner; Bruce Hunt and wife Monica of Friona, TX; three sisters Ruth Madeline Mitchell of Austin, TX; Betty Jean Druktenis of Moriarty, NM; and Monique (Patsy) Davis and husband Perry of Spokane, WA; also surviving are three grandchildren Sarah Marler and husband Colby of Midland, TX; Matthew Hunt of Portales, NM and Kari Sue Hunt of Clovis, NM. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, February 16, 2003 from the Fort Sumner Cemetery with Tom Gilmore officiating. Pallbearers will be Neuman Merritt, Dale Propps, Norman Moore, David Fikany, Tony Gauna, and Eddie Pena. Honorary bearers will be Jake Lucero, Fred Lucero, Junior Casaus, John Winn, Carl Vick and Field Irwin. Visitation will be Saturday from 1PM-6PM and Sunday from Noon until 1:30 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.