William "Bill" Hunter

William (Bill) Hunter was born in Dimmitt, Texas on July 10, 1934 to Sam and Lillie Mae (Allen) Hunter. After graduating from Dimmitt High School, he majored in History at West Texas State University, where he was Student Body President, and then attended Tulane Law School in New Orleans, where he made Law Review. There he met his future wife, Jeanette Rau; the two were married at St. Louis Basilica on March 30, 1959.

Bill and Jeanette returned to the Panhandle after Bill graduated, and he became a well-respected lawyer, practicing in Dalhart for more than 65 years. In 1959 he was elected the youngest District Attorney in Texas history, and after working in the office of King Fike, he established his own firm on Denrock Avenue with Barry Blackwell. Anyone who worked with Bill knows how much he cared about his clients.

In addition to his law practice, Bill was an extremely active member of the community. He coached Little League Baseball, served on both the Hospital Board (1988-1991) and the School Board (President 1980-86), and was always present at his children’s golf tournaments, school concerts, and other activities. In 2007 he was named Dalhart’s Citizen of the Year, in honor of his lifelong contribution to the town.

Bill was a man of deep faith, and his spiritual example was a source of great strength and guidance for many who encountered him. He taught Sunday School, was an active member of the People’s Church, led numerous home prayer and Bible Study groups, established the Dalhart Prayer House, volunteered for Prison Fellowship beginning in 1999, and was a member of the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders. For several years he ministered to the Crow Nation in Montana and he helped to revive and support the Straight Gate Church in Philadelphia, pastored by Bishop Beverly Clayburn, which now has a hall dedicated in his name. One of his greatest and proudest accomplishments was a three-volume Christian epic he wrote and published, which has touched many lives, and which Michael Wourms calls “an epic of masterful proportions” and Larry Titus says contains ““some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read.” 

Bill was a strong family man who loved to spend time and travel with Jeanette and his children – Paula Butler (and husband Mac), Janet Tolbert, and Michael Hunter – as well as his grandchildren Carly Frost and Hunter Tolbert, and beloved nieces Sherry McKean of Amarillo and Michele Rau of Virginia. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, attorney, mentor, and friend who lived his life in the light of God. He will be missed by many.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Bill’s life at the People’s Church in Dalhart on Friday, Jan. 24, 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Straight Gate Church, 6000-04 Elmwood Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19142. Cremation and arrangements are entrusted to Dalhart Funeral Home and Cremation Services.