Rev. William "Bill" Hunter
January 20, 1944 – January 10, 2026

William “Bill” Hunter, age 81 years, of Columbus, Ohio, died Saturday, January 10, 2026. His death followed many years of living with the complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Bill shared the beauty of life together with his wife, Pat, for over 55 years. Love and laughter flowed in their home, as they nurtured their children, Marcy and Brett, into adulthood. That circle of love has grown wider with the marriages of Marcy to Dave, and Brett to Angie; and wider still the circle of love has grown to include precious grandchildren, Carley, Imre, Max, and Nova.

Bill enjoyed woodworking and creating gifts of love for his family and our home. He especially loved making wooden gifts for his grandchildren. He also made gifts for many of his friends. Bill graduated from Otterbein College in 1966; and then he completed his studies at United Theological Seminary, in Dayton, Ohio, to earn his masters of divinity degree in 1970.

For more than 40 years, Bill served in ministry among the congregations of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. He loved and served four church families in his years of ministry: Wayne UM Church, Oregon Faith UM Church, William Street UM Church in Delaware, Ohio, and Northwest UM Church in Columbus, Ohio. Bill also served at the District and the Conference levels, first as the Findlay District Program Assistant, and later as the Columbus South District Superintendent and member of the Bishop’s cabinet. Although Bill grew in knowledge and experience in those administrative roles, each time he became “homesick” to return to a church family to be their Pastor. Bill loved, and was loved, by so many. He is remembered for his creative, caring, and also his sense of humor.

Bill embraced God’s people with Faith, Hope, Love, and Unconditional Grace; and it lives on in our memories, and in the lives he has touched.

Contributions may be made to NNEMAP Food Pantry, a nonprofit social service agency distributing food and other resources to residents of Columbus, Ohio. The needs of so many are so great at this time. Bill’s caring heart will be touched by your response to those needs. 

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