John "Bill" William Hunter

Funeral services for John "Bill" William Hunter, 92, of Nacogdoches will be held at 3:00pm Friday, August 29, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home, officiated by Bro. Brian Derr. Interment will follow at Lower Melrose Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 2:00 to 3:00pm on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home. Mr. Hunter passed away on August 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family in Spring, Texas. He was born on March 23, 1933, in Meadow, Texas.

Bro. John (Bill) William Hunter, 92, of Nacogdoches, Texas crossed the finish line to his heavenly home in Glory Land on August 26, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.

Bro. Bill Hunter was born March 23, 1933 in Meadow, Texas to Samuel and Mabel Hunter. He was born and raised in various locations throughout Texas before giving his life to Jesus and beginning a lifelong commitment to ministry. He served as pastor to many churches over the years, the most recent being Grace Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. He and his late wife, Myrtis, served at Grace Baptist since it's beginning in 1994.

Bill, better known as Bro. Hunter, Pawpaw or Daddy, in his younger years, enjoyed a love for horses. Second only to preaching, his raising, training, and competing with horses was one of his greatest passions in life. This joy was shared with his children, grandchildren and many friends over the years as he enjoyed his simple, country-style living.
He spent many years working as a construction foreman and finishing concrete. He even took it upon himself to construct the building where he pastored his last church, Grace Baptist Church.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife (Myrtis), a son (John), his mother and father (Samuel and Mabel), as well as 3 siblings, (Janell Gregg, Geral Langen and Buel (Bud).

He is survived by his sister Joan and husband Bill Dowell, sister Charlsie Witt along with his 6 daughters and one son; Linda Hunter of Lewisville, TX. Sherry Magness and husband Harry Magness of Tyler, TX. Letita Hairgrove and husband Pat Hairgrove of Timpson, TX. Christina Deane and husband Will Deane of Flint, TX. Melaney Carmichael and husband Harold Carmichael of Jacksonville, TX. Susan Mead and husband Sam Mead of Spring, TX. and one son James Hunter of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

He leaves us with such an incredible legacy of love and faith.

Serving as Pallbearers are James Burris, Matthew Pilcik, Michael Derr, Cadence Murphy, Chris Battles, Hunter Battles, Cot Pope and Doug Smelley. 

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