Obituaries

JOAN GARNER SMITH Fenwick Island

Joan Garner Smith, age 80, died on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, surrounded by her children, at her home in Fenwick Island, Delaware. Born in Washington DC, she was the daughter of the late John and Virginia (Williams) Garner. She is survived by her children, Adam Craig Smith and his wife, Denise, of Salisbury, and Amy SmithWiech of Mokuleia, Oahu, Hawaii.

There are four grandchildren, Evan and Jenna Smith, and Keenan and Kailee Wiech.

Also surviving are her siblings, twin sister, Janet Crump and Joyce Garner, both of Silver Spring, Maryland; brother, Jack Garner (Nancy) of Dover, Delaware; and brother-in-law, Robert Sweetman of Glenwood, Maryland. She was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Garner Sweetman.

She was born in Washington, DC, attended Immaculata High School in DC, and continued to live in the Washington, DC area until relocating to her summer home in Fenwick Island, Delaware, in 1989.

She attended St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

She enjoyed trips to the casino with her sisters and friends, playing trivia, and sitting by the water on the canal with an occasional glass of wine and some steamed shrimp. She also made a few trips to Hawaii to see her daughter and explore the Hawaiian islands.

A visitation was held on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

A donation may be made in her memory to: www.cheerde.com/cheeractivity-centers. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. WILLIAM PACE HUNTER Berlin

William Pace Hunter, Aug. 28, 1942 - Sept. 22, 2021

Bill Hunter, beloved father, friend and member of the “shore family,” died suddenly of natural causes on Sept. 22, 2021, in Berlin, Maryland. To his friends and family, he was larger than life with a brilliant sense of humor and wit. He spent his career at IBM and retired at the age of 51 to Berlin, Maryland, where he and his beloved wife, Karen, built a home on the water and spent much time on their boat.

He was passionate about “his” town of Berlin and thrived in being a small-town guy. He loved attending every festival and concert possible and was always ready with a funny story from his debut as an extra in “Runaway Bride,” which was filmed in Berlin.

First and foremost, Bill was a loving father who provided many extraordinary times throughout the years and was always there for his daughters.

He was never judgmental and relished in hearing of their adventures. He would send random, odd gifts in the mail and always had them smiling and laughing their whole lives.

Bill created a myriad of his own “signature” words and if you were extra special, he would adorn you with a ridiculous nickname, like his daughters, “Noodle” and “Herman.”

A tribute to his generous and caring nature, dozens considered Bill their “best friend.” But even his closest friends had trouble keeping up with Bill.

He regularly rode 40-60 miles on his bike, walked the “boards,” played golf and went to the gym.

If anyone knew Bill, they have tons of “stories” of various escapades that go back decades.

Besides being the main character of his friends’ stories, Bill was also an amazing storyteller himself. He captured your attention from start to finish.

Bill had an unmistakable laugh that will never be forgotten by those who loved him. He brought his larger-

than-life energy into whatever room he entered in a positive uplifting way. Bill was an incredibly giving person to his friends and community. If you were a friend in need, he would find a way to make it seem like you were doing him a favor by accepting what he was offering. He was always there to give you a ride, do some internet research or simply listen. He spent countless hours assisting the Noel Community that provides meals to the less fortunate in the comJoan Smith munity. A fellow Noel volunteer said of him, “Bill was the Noel Community” and that “Bill did everything.” He was the first to volunteer for any need, regularly made the lunches, was “chief chef” for weekend breakfasts, and, through his vast network of friends, secured generous donations that help fund the program yearround. Bill was one in a million and when someone is larger than life, it’s all the more difficult for those left behind. He is survived by his daughters, Michele (Herman) Slade and Jenny (Noodle) Quinn. Other survivors include his grandchildren, Hunter Slade, Amanda Slade, Bailey Lynch and Graham Lynch; his step-grandchildren, Lauren Reece, Alexa Gutschenritter, Jackson Quinn and Sam Quinn; his greatgrandson, Kai Slade; and his cousins who were like siblings, James Somes, Barbara Doane and Suzanne Raeside. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen Doster-Hunter, and his parents, Frank Hunter and Barbara Pace Hunter. A celebration of life will be held on Oct. 16, 2021, at 4 p.m. at Pines Point Marina. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donation be made in Bill’s memory to The Noel Community. Checks should be written to The Noel Community and mailed to: The Noel Community, c/o St. Paul’s bythe-Sea, 302 North Baltimore Avenue Ocean City, Maryland 21842. The Noel Community is 100-percent volunteer run and all donations are tax deductible. The Noel Community provides a holiday dinner every year, lunch every Saturday and several days during the week to the less fortunate in the area. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

William Hunter

OBITUARY NOTICES

Obituary Notices are $50 to publish in the Ocean City Today and online. E-mail: editor@oceancitytoday.net Mail: Ocean City Today, 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, MD 21842