WARNER ROBINS -- Funeral services will be held Friday for former Warner Robins Police Chief Billy Hunter.
Hunter served as chief from 1977 until his retirement in 1983. He died Tuesday at age 73.
According to his obituary, he grew up in Fitzgerald, and after graduating high school he hitchhiked to Warner Robins, where his sister lived. He soon made it his home.
In 1966 he became a Warner Robins police officer and became one of its first certified officers. When Cullen Talton was first elected sheriff in 1973, he hired Hunter as his chief deputy. In 1976 Hunter went back to the police department, then became chief the next year.
“Chief Hunter was one of the most renowned law enforcement officers the city has ever had. He paved the way for officers to serve the citizens of our community with dignity and pride,” Mayor Chuck Shaheen said in a statement. “We are very grateful for his many years of service and dedication to the city of Warner Robins.”
Hunter also served as a Houston County school bus driver for 48 years and served on many local boards. Friends and family recently held a “We Love Billy” day and hundreds of people came from around the country, the obituary stated.
Services are set for 11 a.m. Friday at Southside Baptist Church. McCullough Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
