Senator Mattie Hunter’s nephew’s services set, visitations on Friday July 10, wake and funerals set for Saturday July 11

Both victims of gun violence

By Chinta Strausberg

Funeral services for Senator Mattie Hunter’s (D-3rd) nephews, Willie Lee Hunter, 31, and his brother, John Lee Hunter, 25, who were victims of gun violence last Sunday in the Auburn Gresham community, will be held Saturday, July 11, 2015, at Gatling’s Chapel, 10133 So. Halsted St.,

Visitation for the Hunter brothers will be held Friday, July 10, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Gatling’s Chapel. Their wake will be held Saturday, July 11, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon with the funeral following from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., according to Senator Hunter.

The burial site has yet to be determined.

It was about 6 a.m. last Sunday when Willie Lee Hunter and his brother John, sat in a rented car at 89th and Paulina when someone walked up and shot into the car, according to Senator Hunter. While John drove away in an attempt to escape more bullets, he crashed into a building housing a veteran’s organization. Both men died.

The brother of Senator Hunter’s nephews was killed in a car accident more than 20-years ago “almost to the date, the senator said. “They were the last children of my sister, Angela,” she said.

Senator Hunter said both of her nephews had gotten into some trouble and that it was John who wanted to escape the violence of Chicago’s gangs and to get a job. “He couldn’t find a job here,” said Sen. Hunter. “He moved to Jefferson City, MO. where his father lives, and he found employment. His brother, Willie, moved the next year and also found a job.

When the Hunter brothers lived in Chicago, Willie Hunter resided in Fuller Park and John in the Auburn Gresham community, according to the senator.

“While both of them had gotten into trouble a few times, they were now working and trying to get on the straight and arrow, and they were very successful until this happened,” Sen. Hunter said.

“I feel terrible,” the senator said. “I’ve been very sad not only for my sister but for my family and the victims.” She said her nephews tried to escape the violence in Chicago and did so until they came back to celebrate the Fourth of July with her family. “They were killed on the same day they were to return to Jefferson City because both had to be at work Monday morning,” Sen. Hunter said.

Willie and John Hunter leave to mourn their mother, Angela, John Hunter’s father, John Davis from Jefferson City, MO, an aunt, Senator Mattie Hunter, and a host of friends and relatives. Willie Hunter’s father is deceased.

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