Willie Hunnings

Some of our readers will remember William Bryant (Willie) Hunnings (1913-2000). Willie was the son of Winfield Hunnings and Ocracoke native Myra Garrish. Willie was not born on Ocracoke Island, but moved here with his mother and step-father, Jather (Jake) Alligood, about 1930.

Photo courtesy
Ocracoke Preservation Society

Willie, who was seldom without his trademark white yachting cap, worked painting houses in the 1950s and 1960s. You could also often find him behind the counter of the Community Store. His friendly, pleasant personality made shopping there a genuine pleasure.

Willie enjoyed music, and often sang while he worked. He also played harmonica for the old island Graveyard Band.

In the 1970s and 1980s you could usually find Willie (sometimes called "Three Fingers"...no one could ever tell me how he lost his fingers) in his workshop carving birds or sailing ships.

Willie Hunnings Carvings in OPS Museum

Willie was the grandson of Epherena Fulcher Garrish (click here for her story).

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a brief history of Howard's Pub. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082117.htm.