Hunter Grafton deButts, Sr., age 73, of Leesburg, VA, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2022 at Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Facility in Winchester, VA.
Born the oldest of five children to parents Elmer (“Jack”) deButts and Doris H. deButts, Hunter grew up on Grassley Farm in Waterford, VA, graduating from Loudoun Valley High School, class of 1968.
In February 1969, Hunter was drafted and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War as an infantryman, with the rank of Army Specialist 4, until January 1971. After serving, Hunter returned home to work alongside his father as a milkman and later worked as an auctioneer. and real estate broker. His career took him to work in sales and telecommunications abroad in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Russia, sparking a passion for travel that prevailed throughout his life. In the early 2000s, after recovering from Lyme disease, he dedicated himself to his own health and found his true calling in helping others in their personal health journey. His business gave him the opportunity to travel around Asia, where he settled in Thailand, spending half of his time until the 2020 pandemic.
A friend to all, Hunter loved sharing experiences with those around him. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and shooter, and would happily bring friends and family to his favorite spots on the Chesapeake Bay or the Outer Banks to fish in his boat, or to Grassley Farm for target practice. He passed these skills on to his children and grandchildren, teaching them a love of the outdoors through fishing and surefire shooting.
Hunter inherited a love of animals, a trait shared and passed down through the Butts family. Throughout his life, Hunter had special relationships with cats, dogs, horses, woodchucks, and birds, to name a few. His open-door policy at his Leesburg apartment welcomed all neighborhood dogs, squirrels and hummingbirds.
An active member of his community, Hunter marched with the American Originals Fife and Drum Corps, and continued to serve his country by volunteering as a member of the Virginia Defense Force. During the pandemic, Hunter contributed his time to a local organization that provided food and staples to those in need.
Hunter is survived by his son, H. Grafton deButts, Jr., his daughter-in-law, Beth Maskey deButts, and two grandchildren, Brennan and Thomas; his daughter, Jordan de Butts, and his son-in-law, Robert McMillen; his sister Candice deButts Hubbard and her brother-in-law Garry Hubbard; sister Desiree deButts Farren and brother-in-law Kenneth Farren; brother Richard deButts; and brother Victor deButts and sister-in-law Bridgette deButts.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, September 19 at Halls Funeral Home in Purcellville, with the Rev. Craig Newman officiating. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at Halls Funeral Home from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Burial will follow the funeral service at Hillsboro Cemetery.
Donations may be made to a veterans organization of the donor’s choice.