Joe B. Hunter

JOE B. HUNTER, 78, of Waco died Saturday at Scott and White Hospital. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Ken Kesselus officiating. Burial will follow atWaco Memorial Park. Mr. Hunter was born October 17, 1922 in McGregor to Henry Grady and Verna Mae Hunter. He graduated from LaVega High School and attended Baylor and Texas A&M College. He married his girlfriend, Mary Frances Aigner, 57 years ago, on August 25, 1944. Mr. Hunter served his country with distinction in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a B-24 Liberator pilot with the 15th Air Force flying 35 combat missions in the Mediterranean Theatre, and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. The plane he flew in World War II was named “Tepee Time Gal” and the nose art on “Tepee Time Gal” is the nose art on the Confederate Air Force airplane “Spirit of Waco”. Mr. Hunter was in the furniture and carpet business, and he was also in business with his son. He retired in 1985 to pursue his hobby of gold mining and treasure hunting in Mexico and Texas. He was a charter member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and a current member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Mr. Hunter was instrumental in the formation of the Big Band Dance Club. He was a Mason and a past member of Karem Shrine. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Grady and Verna Mae Hunter; brothers Elmer, Orvelle, Don and Eugene Hunter and one son Jeffery Allen Hunter. Survivors include his wife Mary Aigner Hunter of Waco; his son Joe Aigner Hunter and his wife Mary Hyden of Waco; three grandchildren: Robert Aigner Hunter, Julia Barclay Hunter and George Bender Hunter, all of Waco; and his sister Lois Clancy and her husband Leroy of Waco. Pallbearers will be Joe Aigner Hunter, Robert Aigner Hunter, George Bender Hunter, J. Richrd Karr, Ed C. Aigner and Carl Shamburger. Robert Macha will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Memorials may be made to the Waco Family YMCA, Fuzzy Friends, or one’s favorite charity. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY