Danny Eugene Hunter, Sr.

Danny Eugene Hunter Sr., 78, of Pelion, South Carolina passed away on August 29, 2026 surrounded by his loving family, after a lifetime of loving people, giving unsolicited advice and always being right (even if he was not).

Born on February 23, 1948 in Rock Hill, South Carolina to Ernest Zachary Hunter and Ola Belle Outlaw Hunter, Danny, also know as Daddy, Paw Paw, Pops and Big Daddy, spent life devoted to family, friends and making sure everyone around him was taken care of.

For 20 years, Danny worked in construction which provided him with the opportunity to travel. He hauled the family to Saudi Arabia for 3 years which allowed him to take his family on a tour of several different countries providing an experience most will not have. From the Eiffel Tower in France, to the Windmills of Holland, to the Pyramids in Egypt, to a safari in Africa, Danny was able to enjoy with his family the things most only dream of.

Danny, known as Daddy, to his daughter Lisa Hunter and Diddy to his son Danny (DJ) E Hunter Jr., was a devoted father that made sure his children were raised with Jesus, wit and enough sarcasm to make a grown man cry.

Known as Paw Paw to his grandchildren, he was the strong, silent, lovable Paw Paw that always had a hug and free chicken wings. Although Alzheimer’s had taken away some of what made Paw Paw, he will always be remembered as an entrepreneur (if you know, you know), the man who made them all funny (in their own minds) and the man that made their parents the sarcastic but fiercely loving people they are today. He will also be remembered for teaching them work ethics that will take them far in life.

Danny was known as Big Daddy to the hundreds that were on the payroll and thousands of customers over the years at Wings N Ale of Lexington. He, Big Daddy, wasn’t just the man who owned the place. He was the man behind the bar, the boss, the friend, the problem solver, the advice giver and, depending on the day, the source of a sarcastic comment you probably had coming. There are undoubtedly hundreds of Big Daddy stories floating around and will continue to be passed on for years to come.

His life was also blessed by two remarkable women who each shared an important chapter of his journey. He was married to Faye for 27 years and later to Betty for 16 years. In a way that speaks volumes about the family they created, Faye and Betty share a genuine friendship and mutual love and respect for one another. There was never a need to choose between “then” and “now”- they were simply family. Together they shared in loving him, laughing at him, and later taking care of him.

His family will miss his voice, his laughter, his sarcasm, his advice and simply knowing that he was there. After 20 years in construction and 22 years running a bar, we’d like to think Heaven was prepared for his arrival - Although by now he has probably already told Saint Peter how the place could be run a little better.

As much as Big Daddy loved his bar and the people who came through it’s doors, nothing mattered more to him than his family. They knew the man behind the nickname. They knew his loyalty, his humor, his stubbornness, his love, and that underneath every sarcastic remark was a man who cared deeply about the people in his life.

Danny leaves behind his wife of 16 years, Betty R Hunter, his children, Lisa Hunter and Danny (DJ) E Hunter Jr. (Kristi) and their mother, Faye C. Hunter, whom he was married to for 27 years. He also leaves behind grandchildren; Justin Hall, Hunter Jones (Derrick), Cameron Hunter (Jayde), Jordon Hallman (Rachel) (with baby boy Hallman expected in November 2026) and Christian Hunter, great-grandchildren; Sophia, Levi and Wyatt along with two stepchildren, Jodey Birchmore (Joni), Larry Birchmore (Wendy), two step-grandchildren, Brantley (Meghan) and Austin Birchmore and step great-grandchildren, Mason and Laken. He also leaves behind his sisters, Debbie Curry and Ruby H Hanna (Bobby) and brother, Murdic Hunter (Dinah).

He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest Zachary and Ola Belle Hunter, his brother, Wayne Hunter and his sister, Mary H. Smith as well as great granddaughter, Noah Faye, nephews, Kirk Hunter and Eric Smith and nieces, Pamela Miller and Dana Hanna and step-granddaughter, Ashten Birchmore.

His memorial service will be announced at a later date. Please consider making a donation to the National Alzheimer’s Association in his honor.

We will miss you, Daddy. You have run the good race; now rest easy in the arms of Jesus.

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND