Rev. Dr. William G. Hurst, USAF Lt. Col. (ret)'s Obituary
The Rev. Dr. William G Hurst, USAF Lt. Col. (ret) passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the age of 101, at his home in Ft. Myers, Florida.
Bill was a proud member of the “greatest generation” having served in the military for 26 years, starting in the California National Guard, then Army, then the Army Air Corp through WWII and finally the Air Force proper, rising from PFC to Sgt Pilot to Lt. Colonel at retirement.
Bill went on to Episcopal Theological School to become the Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Manchester NH. Subsequently, he received a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and joined with others to open the Durham (NH) Pastoral Counseling Center before eventually “retiring” to Florida in 1993 where he first attended St. Hillary’s Episcopal Church and then helped found and serve in the ministry of Iona Hope Episcopal Church.
Bill is survived by his wife of 15 years, MaryLou Morrison, her daughter Linda Collins, grandson Zach Collins and his wife, Amanda.
Bill formerly was married to Betty (Stevens) Hurst for 59 years and is survived by daughter Susan Balkite and husband, Dick, and her daughter Ann Frias and her children, Ariana, Dominick and Brandon, as well as Susan’s granddaughters Brittany Darby (and husband Justin and children, Henry and Maddox) and Amber Hodgkins; son Michael and his daughter Michelle Brookhurst & her daughter, Ivy Rose, along with Renee Hurst and their children Rachel Sama and husband James and children, Rosabella and Liliana; Jim Hurst and fiancée Christina Wall and Elizabeth Hurst and fiancé, Evan Thomas; daughter Jennifer Hurst Williamson and daughters Sarah Moody, Betsy Williamson and Julia Williamson and their families; and by the youngest daughter, Carol Belcher and husband Dave and daughters, Hannah and Abigail.
Bill was predeceased by wife Betty (1921-2003), son-in-law Danny Williamson (1946-2021), daughter Vicky Hurst (1949-2019) and granddaughter Julie Kean (1970-2022)
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 1st at Iona Hope Episcopal Church. Family and friends are welcome to attend the service and the collation immediately following in Iona Hope’s gathering room. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Bill may be made to Iona Hope Episcopal Church,9650 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908.
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