James (Bill) William Hunter, 83, died peacefully on September 29, 2026, from age related health issues, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born on October 5, 1942 to William Walton Hunter and Ruth Elizabeth (Barnes) Hunter, in Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York.
He graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens, New York, before enlisting in the United States Marines, where he served honorably in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After 6 years in the Marines, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served an additional 17 years in Ground Transportation before retiring as an E6 Tech Sergeant. Completing a total of 21 years in the military. Retiring completely on Sept, 1, 1980.
Bill stayed in transportation by becoming a Charter Tour Bus driver, before his final retirement in 2013.
Bill was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He had a passion for history that he found in books or in the experiences he had both in the service and as a driver. He loved to talk about everything that he found interesting and greatest joy was his passion for trains and talking about them… A LOT. Bill was lovingly known as Pops by his family and to anyone who saw him as a father figure. He always tried to make people laugh with jokes.
Pops is survived by his wife of 54 years Gail (Castleman) Hunter, Colorado Springs, CO, Son William (Wheelz) Hunter, Colorado Springs, CO, son, Douglas Hunter, Thornton, CO, three Grandchildren, Seth Hanley, Colorado Springs, CO, Autumn Sorrentino, Fort Collins, CO, Adelaide Hunter, Thornton, CO, great-grandson, Scotty, and numerous “kids” throughout our life who saw him as a father figure.
Bill will be laid to rest in a Veterans Service which will be held on October 29, 2026 at 1pm. Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925
In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations to the Colorado Railroad Museum (coloradorailroadmuseum.org) or your local animal shelter.
