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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Wilmer Hunter

Wilmer Hunter passed away on March 20, 2026. He was originally raised on a farm near Harbeson, Delaware in Sussex County. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1961 and received an appointment to West Point Military Academy but opted to attend the University of Delaware as an education major. He graduated in 1965 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation and served in the U.S. Army in Germany and various bases in the U.S. and Vietnam during the Tet Offensive period. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Bronze Star with the Cross of Gallantry and other notable medals. Upon his release from active duty after attaining the rank of Captain, he pursued a career in Education that took him to numerous and varied positions to include: teacher, counselor, and administrator. He ended his career in the Colonial School District as Vice Principal of Southern Elementary School. Upon his retirement, he was immediately hired by Wilmington University to supervise student teachers, a job that kept him close to schools and which he thoroughly enjoyed.

During this time, he raised a family and was active as a community leader in such capacities as civic association president of Edenridge, Senior Warden and vestry member of Calvary Episcopal Church, the American Legion, Del Vets, the Delaware Military and Education Foundation, a little league coach, and a member of many professional organizations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar S. Hunter and Lillian Ponder Hunter. He is survived by wife Susan Bell-Hunter, a son, Bryce who is an attorney in Roanoke, VA and his wife, Cindy, and granddaughters Abigail and Lillian. He is also survived by his daughter Molly Bowman who teaches in Stroudsburg, PA. and her husband, Dan, and granddaughters Kyrsten and Kelsey.  The mother of his two children, Virginia C. Hunter, also survives him.

Funeral Services

A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 18, 2026, at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, at 11:00AM.  Friends are invited to call upon the family beginning at 10am. Interment will be private.

Condolences

    Tom MacPherson writes,
    Susan, Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Wil. We became acquaintances during our gym workouts at the JCC and I enjoyed talking about Philly sports with him. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing.
    03/24/2026 08:18 pm
    Anne Turner writes,
    Dear Susan, I am so sorry to hear of Will's passing, and send my heartfelt wishes to you. Anne Turner
    03/25/2026 09:27 am
    Dawson David R. writes,
    RIP my fellow 1961 classmate. I will certainly miss you and your remarkable memories of days gone by. DDawson
    03/25/2026 03:24 pm
    Diane Ellingsworth lit a candle and writes,
    Susan and family, I am sending my most sincere condolences. I have memories of Wilmer with the Class of 1961, Georgetown High School. May you Rest In Peace, Wilmer.
    03/25/2026 05:23 pm
    Gene A Short lit a candle and writes,
    I graduated high school with Wilmer. He was a great guy. Always cool headed and love to have fun. RIP, my friend.
    03/25/2026 08:35 pm
    Joyce Osik writes,
    Susan & Wil’s family. I am so saddened hearing the news of Wil’s passing. I have so many good memories of Wil when I was a parent (Assistant Principal at Gunning Bedford) & an employee of Colonial School District - McCullough Elementary School (5th grade - VP). Then moving down in Sussex Co, we had some get togethers when he was, then him & Sue were at their Rehoboth condo. The stories he'd tell, his mind, his wit, advice he'd give, his humor & his memory....he remembered children's names, spouses names - he listened when you talked to him! Wil & all about him will be forever in my memory. The 99 cent cheeseburgers - he couldn't wait to go & get at McD's for all of us & a bunch for his freezer (before Sue :). Singing along with me & Debby "On the Way To Cape May". He was bigger than life - I will miss him just knowing if I needed to talk to him he would be a phone call away. Susan know that, that applies to you now if I can help in any way going thru your next journey. Prayers & thoughts are with all of you. Love, Joyce
    03/27/2026 05:50 pm
    Ellen Ragan Louden writes,
    Susan and Family, Please accept my condolences on the passing of Wil. He was such a good man and really looked out for the teachers that he supervised. He hired me for my first teaching job, and for that I will always be grateful. May he rest in peace, and I hope that all of the memories of Wil will get you through this very difficult time. Sincerely, Ellen Ragan Louden ( McCullough Elementary Teacher many years ago)
    03/30/2026 11:05 am
    Jerry Martin writes,
    Wilmer was a year ahead of me at Georgetown High. Back in those days we played a lot of pickup outdoor basketball on the courts at Georgetown and Rehoboth. I can't remember the last time I saw him, but In my minds eye he will always be that young teenage guy going up for a rebound. I hope there's a round-ball court close to where you're going.
    04/01/2026 04:23 pm
    Ron Wrightson writes,
    I have very fond memories of Wilmer. We lived across the street from each other in Wilmington, De. Hung out all the time. We loved cruising in his white TBird convertible. It was so much fun. We got together as couples and had great times. Wilmer and Ginny joined us on our 25th Anniv Caribbean Cruise. I always enjoyed his Aunt & Mother also. RIP buddy.
    04/11/2026 04:26 pm
    Kate McNeilly writes,
    I will always remember your beautiful corner garden Both Will and Susan loved that garden. It was a haven for plants and animals. Some animals a little more appreciated than others. I used to call it Susan and Will’s little magical kingdom. Plants would appear in that garden that I am absolutely sure were not there yesterday! It was hard to enforce any rule, because the garden always looked picture perfect. How lovely it is to be remembered for being a caretaker of our beautiful earth. Our sincerest condolences Susan.
    04/16/2026 01:10 pm

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