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WILLIAM ‘BILL’ RICHARD HUNTER

By
NLJ Staff

 
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ RICHARD HUNTER
Feb. 21, 1986–Jan. 14, 2021
William “Bill” Richard Hunter, 34, passed away
unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. 
Bill was born on Feb. 21, 1986, to Laura (Henderson) Oney in Newcastle, Wyo. Waiting anxiously for him at home were his big brother Matt, his big sister Sarah, and his grandma Betty. With an age gap of six and four years, respectively, Matt and Sarah were both excited to take care of him, and that need to care for their baby brother lasted until his last breath.
Bill was born on the go, needing to keep up with his siblings; he was always in a hurry to do new things. Despite being diagnosed with a serious, life-threatening illness at a young age, he never let that stop him. He learned to ride a two-wheeler bicycle without training wheels or brakes before the age of 3, riding as fast as he could through the neighborhood, with mom running along next to him. He seemed to be the King of the Neighborhood for a time, with all the neighbors knowing and loving his mischievous smile. The house was full of laughter, love and craziness with Bill at the center.
Bill took karate to help with the arthritis caused from his illness and won several awards during tournaments. He loved skateboarding as he grew older and continued to love riding his bike. As he grew into a young man, that loving mischievous smile only changed to shine brighter through his eyes. As he grew, sometimes he found himself on a twisting path, not always taking the right turns. Somehow, he eventually managed to find his way back with lots of love and support from all his family and friends.
Along the way, Bill decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, so he picked one up and started listening to songs over and over until he could play them to perfection. He sang and wrote some of his own songs as well. If you were lucky enough to get to hear some of his own songs, you were truly blessed. With encouragement from Matt, he got into the punk music scene and was in a local band for awhile building forever friendships and relationships he had to this day.
Bill’s greatest joy and sense of pride in this life was his children. His six children, Aurora, Ayonna, Lucas, Allyssa, Dalton, and Kendall, were the absolute light of his life and he couldn’t have been happier than when spending time with them. It took Bill a couple of tries and a few years, but he finally found the true love of his life, Kelly Page. He was never happier than he was after finding her. If it wasn’t for her unconditional love and understanding, he wouldn’t have the family he had.
Bill loved spending time with his Pops, Wayne Oney, working on projects, playing with the kids, or just joking around. He was an avid Red Sox fan and was so excited when they finally won the World Series. Bill loved weight lifting and even had his brother Matt build him a new gym at home so he and his family could work out any time they wanted. Always willing to try new things, Bill was out helping build the gym as much as he could. Being in nature with Kelly and the kids was extremely important to him, and you could often find the family on a hike or just relaxing outside. Bill enjoyed giving gifts to any and everyone he loved or that he thought was in need. He loved being silly and talking in foreign accents, or relaxing and watching a Marvel movie with the family while wearing his goofy socks.
Bill filled the room with his light and presence. His wit and creativity were unmatched. If you were lucky enough to get a hug from him you knew what true love and warmth felt like. His warm smile and huge presence will leave a lasting impression on everyone he came in contact with.
Bill is survived by the love of his life, Kelly Page; his six children, Dalton Page, Kendall Page, Aurora Hunter, Ayonna Hunter, Lucas Hunter, and Allyssa Hunter; his parents, Laura and Wayne Oney; his brother, Matt (Megan Martin) Drake; his sister, Sarah Lesmeister; nephews, Tristin Dollison, Devon Lesmeister, Mathew Drake, Mitchell and Marsden Drake; nieces, Kaitlyn (Eric Gonzalez) Lesmeister and Camilla Drake; as well as numerous aunts, uncles,
and cousins.
He was welcomed in death by his grandmother, Betty Henderson. She was waiting for him Thursday, just as she was waiting for him to be born on that cold day in February.
A Bill Hunter Memorial Fund has been opened at First State Bank of Newcastle, for his children’s future.
Services are pending; watch social media for more
information.

 

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