William Oliver (Dr. Pat) Hunnicutt III, a retired dentist who proudly served his country, his family and his community, died April 23 at Hospice LaGrange.  He was 73.

Dr. Hunnicutt is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gail Hunnicutt; his daughter, Kim Hunnicutt Crawford and husband, Kyle; his son, Bill Hunnicutt and wife, Karyn; five grandsons, Will Hunnicutt, John Crawford, Harrison Hunnicutt, Charles Crawford and Davis Hunnicutt, all of LaGrange; brothers Jim Hunnicutt and wife Robyne, of LaGrange and Charles Hunnicutt of Athens.

Dr. Pat was the son of the late Coach and Mrs. Oliver Hunnicutt and a 1961 graduate of LaGrange High School. He attended the University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and earned a B.S. degree in zoology in 1965. He played football for the Bulldogs and was a member of the Letterman’s Club. As a senior on Coach Vince Dooley’s first team, he participated in the Sun Bowl.

He received his DDS degree from Emory University Dental School in 1969 and was commissioned as a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, serving at Fort Polk, La. before deploying to Vietnam.

Following military service, Dr. Hunnicutt returned to LaGrange, where he had a private dental practice for almost four decades.

He was an elder of First Presbyterian Church and an alumnus of Leadership Georgia. He served as a director of Commercial Bank and Trust of LaGrange, a Synovus Bank, for 34 years.

Earlier this year, local University of Georgia alumni, with support from the Callaway Foundation, established The Gail and William Oliver (Dr. Pat) Hunnicutt III Scholarship, honoring the couple for distinguished leadership to the university and lifelong service to Troup County. The endowed scholarship will be awarded annually to an outstanding UGA student who is a resident of Troup County.

Diagnosed with Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis in 2012, Dr. Pat faced the debilitating illness with courage and an upbeat attitude that inspired all who knew him.  In 2013, he was honoree of the Ely Callaway Hospice Golf Tournament and was named grand marshal of the LaGrange Christmas parade.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary of LaGrange. Following private burial, a memorial service will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Gail and William Oliver (Dr. Pat) Hunnicutt III Scholarship, c/o University of Georgia Foundation, 394 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA. 30602-5582.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636