CANTON − The former students of a Canton City School educator recently dedicated a mural created in his memory at the William Hunter Family Development Center at 3105 Mahoning Road NE.
The McKinley High School graduating class of 1973 sponsored the project to honor the late William Hunter, who became McKinley’s first Black head principal in 1974.
“Quite simply, he was a noble man,” said Phil Jones, who served on the committee that spearheaded the project. “We wanted something that spoke to the legacy of Mr. Hunter and that would inspire future generations that come through this building.”
Jones said the mural has been planned for years.
“This has been a dream for quite some time,” he said. “He did so many things for people at McKinley.”
The mural was painted by Jasmine Barrino, a graduate of McKinley and Ohio State University. Barrino, who has painted murals at City Hall and the Southeast Community Center, said it took about four weeks to complete.
McKinley almuni who attended the dedication described Hunter as a mentor, hero, role model and friend. The building, which houses Head Start and other nonprofits, was named after him in 2003.
“Head Start is a legacy that’s been around since 1965,” said Mary Maxwell, director of Head Start Stark County. “William Hunter is a legacy. His name is spoken every day. His legacy lives on through the hundreds of children who pass through here.”
Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Talbert said Hunter was director of district personnel by the time he applied for his first teaching job, and that Hunter’s advice and guidance were invaluable in helping him to land his first position.
“There is no better thing than for a preschool to be named after him,” Talbert said.
Ward 6 Councilman Nate Cooks said Hunter devoted time to mentoring McKinley athletes and others.
“He was an educator, first,” Cooks said. “Mr. Hunter is very deserving of this honor.”
A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Hunter grew up in Washinton, D.C. He came to Canton in 1959, where he coached basketball and track and taught art for eight years at several elementary and middle schools.
Hunter graduated from Central State University, earned a master’s degree from Kent State University, and pursued doctoral studies at the University of Akron. In addition to teaching, he served as a guidance counselor and assistant principal before becoming head principal. He later worked as a minority recruiter for the distrct and as district director of personnel. He retired in 1995.
A statewide award for human resource directors bears his name.
Hunter also chaired committees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival and served as president of the Canton Urban league. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Jaycees and the Frontiers Club International, he was awarded a Gold Key by the United Way of Central Stark County.
He died in 1996 at age 59.
McKinley alumnus and committee member Victoria McLendon said she’s thrilled with the result.
The mural includes a QR code which tells more about Hunter and the center.
“It exceeded my expectations,” she said. “As far as Mr. Hunter goes, he was my hero. You could talk to him about anything. Head Start is so incredibly important and so needed. Anything we can do to support it.”
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @cgoshayREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘He was an educator first.’ William Hunter Family Center namesake mural dedicated
Reporting by Charita M. Goshay, Canton Repository / The Repository
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