Billy Hunter settled in the Baltimore area with his wife, Beverly, when he was the Orioles’ shortstop in 1954.
Gordon William “Billy” Hunter, former baseball player and Texas Rangers manager, and the last living member of the Orioles’ inaugural 1954 team, sadly passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the age of 97.
However, the exact cause of death has not been revealed yet.
The Baltimore Orioles took to their social media handle to announce the tragic news. They wrote,
The Orioles mourn the passing of Bill Hunter, the last surviving member of the 1954 inaugural Orioles team and the St. Louis Browns franchise, at age 97. Bill was the Orioles’ first shortstop and later spent 13 ½ seasons as the Orioles third base coach, 1964-77. He was elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1996.
Baltimore Orioles
Frank Luber, a reporter at WJZ-TV, took to his official Facebook handle and mourned the loss of Billy. He wrote,
Billy Hunter RIP. He was not only one of the original Orioles but was their 3rd base Coach for 13 years and the Coach and Athletic Director at Towson University.
Frank Luber
Scott Graham, a Youngsville, North Carolina resident, who played under Billy, offered his heartfelt condolences. He wrote,
RIP to my baseball coach at Towson University, Billy Hunter. Thank you Coach for all that you taught me and for the great memories I have playing college baseball. He accomplished so much through the games of baseball in Baltimore. God bless you.
Scott Graham
Other close ones and relatives have also offered their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Billy’s family to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment.
He will always be remembered for his unforgettable contributions as an MLB manager and head coach. Rest in Heaven, Billy Hunter.
Billy Hunter And Beverly Hunter’s Married Life Ended After Around 76 Years
The last surviving player of the St. Louis Browns, Billy Hunter, married Beverly Hunter in 1949.
After their marriage, the couple settled in the Baltimore area, where Billy played shortstop for the Orioles in 1954.
Since 1955, they had lived in the same home in Lutherville.
Although Beverly stayed away from the media spotlight, she always helped and supported Billy in balancing his professional and personal life.
Sadly, their married life ended after 76 years following the tragic death of Billy Hunter.
Friends and relatives have poured their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Beverly to stay strong in this difficult time.
Billy Hunter And Beverly Were Blessed With Two Children
The couple’s first son, Gregory Hunter, was born in 1953 and is now 73, while their second son, Kevin Hunter, born in 1961, is 65.
However, Gregory and Kevin have managed to stay out of the media spotlight, so little is known about their personal lives.
Currently, they are mourning the tragic death of their supportive and devoted father, Billy Hunter.
The Baltimore Orioles have extended their sympathies to Billy’s wife, Bev, and his sons, Greg and Kevin.
As per the source, Billy is survived by his four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Billy Hunter was a 1996 honoree in the Orioles Hall of Fame, inducted with Jerry Hoffberger and Cal Ripken, Sr. These three men were so well thought of in Baltimore that a crowd of 400 showed up at the luncheon at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel.
- He attended Indiana High School and later went to Indiana State Teachers College. In 1948, he transferred to Pennsylvania State University on a baseball and football scholarship.
- Hunter was the first shortstop on the modern Baltimore Orioles team when the Brownies moved to Maryland in 1954.
