Uncle Billy, as we always called him, was the oldest of fifteen children; my father (his brother) was the youngest. So it's no surprise that Uncle Billy and Aunt Mae had a child born before my father was.
Uncle Billy and Aunt Mae lived on a hilltop on the southwest corner of Barnard, if I remember correctly. He was a school teacher at first, teaching in rural Lincoln county at Paris and at King, plus one year in Ottawa county. He then, for the rest of his working life, was a mail carrier (story follows). I remember a story that my father told about him. It seems that Uncle Billy chopped all the firewood to heat their home, and that was a lot of work! As result, his abdominal strength was notable; a doctor, examining him later in life remarked that he had the muscular strength of a young man.
There were five children born to them. The first, William Edwin, was born and died on 17 Aug 1910. The second was either stillborn or miscarried on 17 Mar 1913; no name was given to this baby. The third, Kenneth, was their only child to marry and carry on the Hunter name. Their last children were twins: John who went by Jack and James.
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from the "Salina Journal", 1 Nov 1956:
BARNARD MAIL CARRIER RETIRES AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS ON JOB
by Peggy Saunders, Barnard

William E. Hunter, 70, rural Barnard resident, retired as rural mail carrier on Barnard RFD 2 Oct. 31 after 46 years, 10 months and 16 days of service.
"Bill" began his career as a rural carrier Dec. 14, 1909, with a 26-mile-long route north and southwest of Barnard. He had 46 patrons.
He drove a team and buggy the first day and rode a horse the rest of the winter because of the heavy snow. He usually reported to the post office at 7:45 am and completed his route about 4 PM.
Hunter always carried his lunch with him. However, some of his patrons often would ask him to eat lunch with them.
Hunter drove a horse and cart during the following summer and later drove a team with a mail wagon. He once considered buying a motorcycle for his route but after a rough trip on one he changed his mind. In 1915 he bought his first car, a Model T and he has driven Fords ever since.
When Hunter first began there was only the one route out of Barnard but as time went on two more routes were established; now there are only two.
Hunter has served under 12 postmasters and three acting postmasters. The first was Claude Lamar. At that time there was no regular parcel post and the largest mailable package was 4 ounces. The 4-ounce packages usually contained medicine.
Mrs. Hunter has been his substitute with the exception of a few times. Otis Moss is the only patron still on the route who was on the original route of 46 years ago. Mrs. Joe Pruitt, Guy English, Mrs. Will Watson and George Wrench are the only ones still living who were on his route the first day. Hunter recalls his salary is 6 1/2 times his original pay.
Hunter still is in good health. He will continue to live on the farm one-half mile south of Barnard where he and Mrs. Hunter have made their home since 1923. He'll get a mail carrier's pension.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter raised a family of three boys and saw each graduated from college. Jack is in Denver teaching and working on a doctor's degree in English literature. He teaches English in a Denver school. Jack's twin brother, James, died in 1945 at the age of 27. Kenneth, who is living with his parents, is music instructor and social science teacher at the Barnard high school.
Hunter received a certificate for his service and a letter from Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield. Hunter's position has not been filled. Abe King is the postmaster.
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Obituary from the "Lincoln (Kansas) Sentinel-Republican", 30 Dec 1965:

William E. Hunter

William E. Hunter, 79, a lifelong resident of the Barnard community, died Monday, Dec. 27, at Asbury Hospital, Salina, after a two weeks illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Hunter were held Wednesday, Dec. 29, at the Methodist Church in Barnard, the Rev. Warren Ruble in charge. Burial was in the Milo cemetery near Barnard. Masonic honors at the graveside were conducted by the Saltville Masonic Lodge of Barnard.

Mr. Hunter was a retired mail carrier. He was a member of the Methodist Church of Barnard and the Saltville Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include the widow Ella (she was always called "Mae"), and a son, Kenneth, of the home; a son, John H., Denver; two grandchildren; eight sisters and two brothers.

Military Service: He was a Sergeant with the Kansas State Home Guard, 10th Battalion based in Lincoln, Kansas.