William Anderson Hunt III

William A. Hunt III, known to all as Bill, passed away suddenly on the morning of Friday, December 15, 2023, at his home while having coffee with his wife Linda.  They had been married for 52 years.  To try to truly capture who Bill Hunt was or to adequately share with you his spirit will be difficult, but we will try.

Bill was born in Gulfport, MS to Virgina and William A Hunt II on July 31, 1947.  He was 76 years old.  He was their only child until his brother David came along 13 years later and joined the family. Bill was a true Southern Gentleman.  He always stood when a lady entered or left the room, was ever the gracious host at events and always chose the perfect wine.  He would regale you with endless stories on almost any topic.  Often, that would leave you wondering if they were really based in fact or a figment of his imagination for your entertainment.  Either way, they were told with absolute and complete conviction.  His knowledge knew no bounds.  Adding to the drama and often commented on by his audience was the deep resonance of his voice that was only enhanced by his southern accent and roots.  He loved that he came from the South and the Good Things it stood for.

Bill began his career as a civil engineer before finding his true passion and calling as a commercial photographer.  Bill, along with his partner Ron, was very talented at finding the essence of the client’s message and conveying it in his work.  He captured the emotional connection between the product or service and the client/buyer, translating that visually into a message that delivered it successfully.  He retired from the business when he and Linda moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1998.

Linda and Bill were fortunate to travel the world for business and pleasure.   Bill planned their free-time excursions to the nth degree.  Every trip included dining at world-class restaurants, and he would often critique them on the many travel and gourmet blogs he frequented.  He especially sought out Michelin star rated restaurants in every city they visited.  He was tough but fair, and his opinions were highly sought after by chefs and patrons alike. They also enjoyed driving throughout the country, visiting friends and camping in their free time.  This love of fine dining was also manifested in an intense interest in fine wine.

Bill had an incredible passion for learning about and collecting wine going back to when he and Linda met.  He would amaze her and their friends by recalling wines he had tasted 50+ years ago, describing the nose, feel and characteristics as if he were drinking it right then.  He kept detailed notes on memorable wines and would share his thoughts and ideas with anyone who asked or showed interest.  Often, without being asked!  Together, they hosted many wine and food events at their home and were generous in donating from their collection for the various charitable causes they supported.  

Bil loved golf, tennis and skiing and was a competitive athlete in all of them at different times in his life. 
 
Most importantly Bill’s biggest passion, his major purpose in life was his devotion to Linda and to ensure that she was happy and cared for.  His closest friends saw and knew this and loved that he was ever-present for her as she pursued her career. His contributions to their team supported her efforts to become the leader she is.  They were co-equals in this journey and celebrated each other and each achievement together.  Their shared passion to serve the healthcare communities in which they lived and throughout the world have had a profound impact on those communities and will last a lifetime.  He will be missed.

There will be a celebration of Bill’s life in January 2024 and an announcement will be sent out to his friends and family.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts and donations you may wish to make be directed to either of Bill’s favorite causes – Barrow Neurological Foundation https://giveto.supportbarrow.org/ or the Arizona Bulldog Rescue https://donate.rescueme.org/