BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – (APRIL 30, 2014) A couple passed away this week 60 hours apart after spending 60 years together in marriage, said a southwest Michigan funeral home. The following is the obituary from Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services:
Obituary for Billy C. and Betty Hunter
Billy C. Hunter, 79, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Saturday morning, April 26, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan, following a brief illness. His wife, Betty D. Hunter, 76, passed away two days later on Monday, April 28, 2014 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan.
Billy was born on October 17, 1934 in Leachville, Arkansas. He was raised by his step-father and mother, Ernie and Mary Lee (Coburn) Jones.
Betty was born on November 26, 1937 in Manilla, Arkansas to the late Earlis and Alice (Fisher) Lancaster.
Billy was a gifted mechanic most of his life being able to fix nearly any vehicle, both auto and diesel. He was an avid roller skater, enjoyed playing pool, shooting a bb gun, and a NASCAR enthusiast. Betty was a seamstress who owned her own drapery business. Her hobbies included reading, arts, crafts, antiques, photography and cooking for family gatherings. Billy and Betty were extremely proud grandparents who received great enjoyment watching their granddaughters in gymnastics. Billy also liked quiet time outdoors mowing and trips with his wife to visit family. Billy was also a loving caregiver to his wife Betty, to whom he married nearly 60 years ago at a ceremony in Arkansas.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry Jones. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; together they were preceded in death by a great granddaughter Harley Stone.
They are survived by their children, Hope (Tony) Martin of Eau Claire, Michigan, Charles Hunter of Baldwin, Michigan, Darlya (Jack) Stone of Coloma, Michigan and Dawn (Vern) Jorgensen of St. Joseph, Michigan; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; Billy’s siblings, Chris (Terry) Jones of Missouri, Walter (Donna) Jones of Texas, Eva Wiechert of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Kathy (John) Hays of Oklahoma, Ernie (Sharon) Jones of Nevada, Jimmy Don Jones of Missouri , Jackie Jones of Missouri and Randy Jones of Oklahoma and Betty’s siblings Peggy Horton of Michigan and Jim (Joanne) Lancaster of Oregon.
A memorial service to celebrate Billy and Betty’s lives will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 1 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene located at 3351 Niles Road in St. Joseph with a time of visitation beginning at noon.
