William Stanley Hunt

William Stanley “Stan” Hunt, 82, resident of The Georgia Club in Statham, GA, formerly of Avondale Estates, GA, passed on December 25, 2023, due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia, diagnosed in 2016. In 2018, “Mr. Stan” became a resident of St. Mary’s Highland Hills Memory Care in Watkinsville, GA, for 24/7 professional, loving attention along with daily family visits and outings.

He is survived by his adoring wife of 42 years, Martha Kavanaugh Hunt; daughters Lindsey Hunt Phillips (Stacey) of Greensboro, GA, and Stacy Hunt Socha of Canton, GA; stepchildren Shawn Randolph Walker (John) of Bondurant, WY, and William Henry “Hank” Randolph (Cassandra) of Bogart, GA; grandchildren Jacob Stanley Socha (McKenzie) and Mollie Ann Julia Socha; William Thomas and Pierce Hunter Phillips; John Banks and Grace Elizabeth Walker; William Joseph and Julianne Edith Randolph; great grandson Grayson Walker Socha; sister Jacqueline Hunt Causey and brother Ernest Michael Hunt (Judy). Pre-deceased were parents Garlon and Margaret Bloodworth Hunt; brothers Cecil Lamar, Richard Baxter and Garlon Stephen Hunt; and Julia Lindsey Hunt, former wife of 13 years and mother of his two daughters.

Born at home June 11, 1941, in Stone Mountain, GA, Stan weighed less than three pounds, so Grandmother Bloodworth created a custom incubator. She swaddled him in a blanket inside a straw basket atop heated bricks wrapped in tin foil, all resting on the warm oven door. Surrounded by all that heat, he survived but was still so small he had to wear a baby-doll dress to his christening.

Stan was reared in Decatur, GA. Memories growing up included a lot of fishing with Granddaddy Bloodworth. He recalled asking his granddad, “What if this boat sinks?” The response: “If it sinks, we just go to the bottom and walk out.” Mostly though, Stan was seen working at Granddaddy Bloodworth’s E-Z Store/gas station/grill and jumping on and off his laundry truck to pick up and deliver. He also found time to assist Grandpa Hunt with fruit and veggie sales off the back of his pick-up.

Stan grew to only 5’8” and 135 pounds but became a solid, quick and skilled athlete. He excelled in football, so special arrangements were made for him to attend (gridiron-focused) Avondale High School in nearby Avondale Estates, GA. It was there that he starred as Center and Running Back for the Avondale Blue Devils, helping take the team to three State Championships in a row. He also lettered in Wrestling and Track.

After graduating in 1961, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Stationed at Camp Lejeune, he served until 1967 after world-wide deployments that included “walking the wall” in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Hunt family had five Marines: Daddy Garlon and four of his sons, Stan, Lamar, Mike and Richard.

After his USMC service, Stan embarked on a highly successful 45-year career as a manufacturer’s representative for plumbing products. Stan and brother Steve opened Hunt Sales Company, Inc., in the mid-‘70s with only one line, but that one line was Price-Pfister. The first thing they did was buy themselves each a brand-new Mercedes Benz. The rationale: In the rep business with only 2% commission, you have to sell a lot of product to afford wheels like that, so folks assumed those Hunt brothers must be terrific salesmen, which they were. And the biz grew from there.

In the ‘90s, Stan and Steve decided to split up the company. Steve took the retail, and Stan kept the wholesale, opened Stan Hunt & Associates, Inc., and was even more successful. SH&A was awarded several times Outstanding Sales in the Southeast Region. Stan loved taking customers on countless deep sea fishing and golfing trips in Florida, Pebble Beach, Alaska and Canada, further nurturing strong business relationships and lifelong friendships.

Stan and wife Martha married in 1981, built homes in Stone Mountain and Avondale Estates, GA, then, in 2005, a golf course home at The Georgia Club near Athens. By the time Stan retired in 2008, it was all about golf. Some days, he’d play all 27 holes. Stan was not a well-honed golfer but many wanted him for their foursomes anyway – even for tournaments, just because he was funny, fun, and crazy. His best “trick shots:” #1 Popping his ball up right in front of him and catching it; #2 Hitting a tree then having the ball bounce off and land in the fairway.

Forever first in his heart though were his children and grandchildren. More than anything, he was a loving, generous husband, father, stepdad and “Da,” always with a lake house and a boat for years and years of family gatherings.

Stan was a member of Druid Hills Golf Club, The Georgia Club, Decatur Presbyterian Church and Bethlehem First United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 13, at Bethlehem First United Methodist, 709 Christmas Avenue (Highway 11), Bethlehem, GA at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow at The Georgia Club, Statham, GA.

In lieu of flowers, Stan and his family prefer donations to Tunnels to Towers, Wounded Warriors or The Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com