John William Hunter Obituary (1936

John William Hunter “Bill” Lima - Passed peacefully on July 24, 2026, at age 90. He was predeceased by his parents, John A., and Virginia Hunter. He had no siblings or children. He grew up and spent most of his life in Canisteo, NY; but spent the later years of his life in Lima, NY. He graduated in 1955 from Canisteo Central School where he played on the football team. He was drafted in 1959 by the Army; after completing his training he served most of his time in Germany until being honorably discharged in 1961. Earlier this year he accompanied other veterans to Wahington D.C. on Honor Flight 96. Bill had brunch almost every day at the Lima Family Restaurant. He always showed up wearing his ARMY cap and an old beat-up red jacket. Try as they might, no one could talk him into getting rid of that jacket for the longest time. Anyone that frequented the restaurant knew Bill. He loved talking about politics as well as guns and ammunition. He would bring in magazines on those topics and give them to anyone that wanted to read them. He also always had a story about growing up in Canisteo. There was the time he took an old washing machine motor and mounted it to his bike to power his bike. As a teenager he bought a state-of-the-art powered Eclipse lawn mower which he used to make a little money by mowing yards in the neighborhood. He loved to assemble model airplanes. In fact, he continued this hobby until the day he died. He gave many of them away to young boys and older men that had flown real planes in their lifetime. He was an older gentleman that lived alone and wasn’t the best cook. He has always gratefully for the ladies at Lima Manor that made him pies and cookies. He was especially grateful to Trudy Tones, a longtime friend and server at the restaurant, who would make him chili and goulash for those cold winter nights. To conclude, he developed many close friends in Lima who will dearly miss him. He owes a special thank you to Larry Campbell, Wayne Parrish and Doc Hoskins who helped him through his final days. A celebration of life is currently being organized. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in Bill’s name.