James Wendell Hunter's Obituary
James "Jim" Wendall Hunter, Sr. was the first of three children born in Chicago, IL, to the late Lutitia Wright Hunter and Seborn Hunter on August 14, 1942. He accepted Christ at an early age at Greater Saint John Church-Baptist. James received his early education at Paul Revere Elementary and Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, IL. After graduation, he attended Washburne Trade School. There, he earned his certification in Automotive Training.
After receiving his certification, Jim became an entrepreneur. He opened his own gas station and mechanic shop and served clients throughout the greater Chicago area. This was not the only way he served Chicagoans. While running his businesses, he was also a Police Officer with the Chicago Police Department until he moved to Jackson, MS.
It was in Jackson, MS, where he met the love of his life, Mary Josephine "Jo" McWilliams. They were married and shared a blended family of three children: Michael, James, Jr., and LaSeine. It was also during this time that Jim relocated his gas station and mechanic shop to Jackson. In 1973, Jim was a part of the first all-Black class of entry level Firefighters that were hired in the position of Firefighter 2. They called themselves the "Magnificent 7." The Inaugural Class of 1973 came about as a result of lawsuits filed against the City of Jackson for discrimination.
Since 1973, Jim served in the ranks of the Jackson Fire Department for twenty-five (25) years. The beginning ranks, starting with Firefighter 2, included Relief Driver Operator, Lieutenant, Captain, and District Fire Chief. He also served in dispatch by responding directly to citizens' telephone calls in emergency situations. Jim further moved up the ranks to serve in roles requiring more administrative functions, holding positions of Division Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief. The former position, where he retired in 1998. Jim was also a member of the International Association of Black Firefighters and the local chapter of the International Association of Black Firefighters known as, Firefighters Limited, Inc. Jim's extensive experience throughout his career and membership in each of these organizations, allowed him to provide the kind of strategic leadership that contributed to having a significant impact on and advancing the internal hiring and promotional practices within the Jackson Fire Department. One such example is, in 1988, in addition to the previous lawsuits filed, Firefighters Limited, Inc. also filed a lawsuit against the City of Jackson.
In this lawsuit, Firefighters Limited, Inc. stated that the Fire Department was not honoring a 1974 Consent Decree. The consent decree required the Fire Department to hire two Black Firefighters for every one White Firefighter, and promote two Black Firefighters to every one White Firefighter until the Fire Department reached the ratio of Black employees working in city government. This lawsuit was called a Supplementary Consent Decree, and as a result, the City of Jackson hired a consulting firm to evaluate the testing procedures of the Jackson Fire Department. The evaluation results yielded a recommendation that the Jackson Fire Department change its testing procedures from a written test to an assessment center process. The City of Jackson accepted the recommendation, which then opened the ranks of promotion for Black Firefighters to advance.
Apart from his career in public service, James also had a love for woodworking. Not only was woodworking a hobby, but it also allowed him to continue as an entrepreneur, providing another way to support his family. Jim also enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. He and Jo would often go hunting and fishing. They also traveled and tailgated often, "roughing it smoothly" in their RV.
Jim was a "man's man" who loved God, family, friends, and colleagues. He was dedicated to his community, serving and assisting whenever he could. Jim was a 33 Degree Mason and a member of Prince Hall Masonry, M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge. He also served faithfully as a Deacon at his beloved Beulah Land Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents, Lutitia Wright Hunter and Seborn Hunter; two sisters, Patricia Howard and Berniece Mitchell; his three sons, Michael Leo Hunter, Robert Leon Hunter, James Wendall Hunter, Jr.; and his wife, Mary Josephine Hunter.
He leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, LaSeine T. Hilliard of Jackson MS. A daughter-in-law, Sherrie Hunter; two grandchildren, Sherrell Shanae Williams and Sydney Logan Hilliard of Jackson, MS; four great grandchildren; a nephew, Edgar (Angenita) Tanner of Chicago, IL; two nieces Michelle Mitchell and Jacqueline (Clyde) Thomas of Chicago, IL; a sister-in-law, Doris Mangum of Jackson, MS; two brothers-in-law, John McWilliams of Middletown, CT and Lawrence McWilliams of Jackson, MS; a god-son, Jared Twyner; two god-daughters, Mrs. Janice White and Retired Division Fire Chief, Carmen Brocks of Jackson, MS; and a host of family members and friends by whom he will be greatly missed.
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