Willard Alexander Hunt

Yorktown, VA – Willard Alexander Hunt 81, of Yorktown passed away on Friday May 10th, 2024. Mr. Hunt was born in Hampton, VA to the late Lester and Hulda Hunt. He was raised in Yorktown, the middle of three children. He graduated from York High School in 1960. Willard graduated from Bridgewater College in 1965 with a major in History. While at Bridgewater he was a member of the Eagles Football team for three years. He later went on to earn his masters degree in education from Old Dominion University.
He began his teaching and coaching career at York High School upon his graduation. He married his high school sweetheart Carolyn Belvin in November 1963. His parents gave them a piece of property in Yorktown where they built a home and raised their three children, JoAnne, Susan, and Patricia. In 1972 Mr. Hunt transferred to Tabb High School where he became the first Athletic Director and also taught History. Along with being the Athletic Director he would also coach football, golf, wrestling and field hockey. His wrestling team won Tabb High’s first state championship in 1977. However football was his greatest passion and alongside Charlie Hovis they would go on to win three state championships, and several district and regional titles. A few of his players went on to play professional sports. Overall under his guidance THS won 11 state titles, 211 district titles and 167 regional titles. It was an impressive accomplishment. He would go on to retire in 1997 with 32 years in the York County School System.
Upon his retirement the Virginia High School League awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2010 THS started a “Legends of Tabb” program honoring past coaches, Mr. Hunt was one of the first to be honored as a legend, a name that surely fit. After retirement he worked part-time at several golf courses, which allowed him the benefit of playing three times a week. Golf was another passion but he loved all sports in one way or another. He passed his love of sports to his family which is why our best memories of him will always involve sports. His love of Tabb sports continued even after retirement, helping his successor (athletic director) whenever he was needed. His biggest help was with the wrestling program. For years he would help with setting up tournaments, stats, driving the wrestlers to and from tournaments etc. It was hard for him to leave sports behind after retiring, he love to help! But when he finally did he enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, visiting his OBX beachouse, attending Bridgewater Eagle football games, and of course watching sports on TV.
Willard is predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hunt. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Carolyn, his children JoAnne Kmetz, Susan Nelson, and Patricia Jaffeux (Curtis), two grandchildren Bradley Hancock and Cameron Nelson and one great grandson Blake. He is also survived by his brother Roane and his sister-in-laws Phyllis Debbie Campbell and his sister Martha Hunt and brother-in-law Tom Barclay, along with four nieces and one nephew. The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Riverside Hospice who provided excellent care over the last couple weeks. As well as his beloved neighbors who have been so helpful and who he loved like family
The family will celebrate his life at 5:00pm in Amory Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday May 16, 2024. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Tabb High Athletic Boosters Club