William Willie Ray Hunter, Jr.

William Raiford Hunter, Jr., "Willie Ray", age 87, of Live Oak, FL, passed away, Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Center in Dowling Park, FL following a lengthy illness.  He was born in Dunnellon, FL, growing up in Lake City, FL where he graduated from Columbia County High School in 1955.  He attended North Florida Junior college and Florida State University and moved to Live Oak, FL in1965.  Willie Ray owned and operated the family business, Hunter Motor Company, a Jeep and American Motors dealership and 24-hour Gulf service station where he drove a triple A wrecker and worked as the parts manager.  He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked as a water resource technician for the Suwannee River Water Management District and retired after thirty years.

Willie Ray was conscientious and dependable.  Kinda on the shy and quiet side, until he got on a roll.  That pretty much describes Willie Ray.  Day in and day out he faithfully and efficiently performed his work with great accuracy and attention to detail.  He joined the district in 1983 and the quality of his work was reflected in his performance reviews.  His co-workers said, "a Willie Ray sighting was a rare thing."  Each month he would make a brief appearance at the general staff meetings, but then he disappeared back into the field, where he took water quality samples and collected other data.  Day in and day out Willie Ray faithfully and efficiently performed his work with great accuracy and attention to detail. He always met or beat deadlines and required little or no supervision.  His interests outside of work were somewhat a mystery, but one thing his friends were sure of was his devotion to his wife, daughter and grandchildren.

A long-time North Florida resident, Willie Ray was a history buff, with a particular interest in the small rural towns and communities that once thrived but are now just a memory.

Willie Ray enjoyed gun refinishing and repair, shooting sports, the river life and loved his horses and dogs.

He was predeceased by his parents, William Raiford Hunter, Sr. and Gertrude H. Hunter; his baby brother, sister, Judith Salyers; four brothers-in-law, Lester Salyers and James "Bones" Thomas, R.E. Stokes, Jr., Abner Stokes, sister-in-law Shirley Williams and a godchild, Trevor Choulat two nephews, Pete Stokes, Tommy Williams.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Evelyn Stokes Hunter, Live Oak, FL; one daughter, Aimee Chavela (Ronnie) Cadle, Lake City, FL; one sister, Barbara Thomas, Lake City, FL; six grandchildren Radd, Hannah, Ashlyn, Bryson, Isabella, Cayson and one great grandchild, Ryland. Five special God children and several nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the Advent Christian Village, Good Samaritan Center and Haven Hospice for the love and care you gave him while in your care.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Haven Hospice, 6037 Hwy 90 West, Lake City, FL 32055.

Please keep the Hunter family in your prayers today and the days ahead.