William Alfred Hunnell.
Hamilton County is in the far south eastern corner of Nebraska; also an area referred to as Farmers' Valley. William Alfred Hunnell, more commonly known as Punk, was born at home on April 11, 1897 to Wilber Xenia and Evelina Louise Hunnel, both ninteen years old. As the first born of eight children, he shouldered that responsibility for decades. Rose Marie was born the next year. Then followed Frances Mildred (Midge), Harald D, Wilma Evelyn, and Robert Howard (Doc), all born in Hamilton County.
Doc was three months old, Wilma just a year, when the family left Nebraska by train in October 1906, arriving at the end of the line in Shaniko. The family was accompanied by Fred Van Metre, Wilbers nephew, who planned on stay only the winter but remained for the rest of his life. He had been in Bend earlier and guided the family to Bend.
Upon arriving in Shaniko, family belongings were unloaded from the train. They were a wagon, a team of horses, some chickens, and a couple of cows. Punk walked most of the distance to Madras driving the cows. The first night's stop was in Antelope, the second in Madras. From there the family came by stage. Punk was nine years old.
The family spent the first two winters with Wilber's brother Fred in the present Hunnell Acres area. In 1910, the family moved to a farm on the Swalley known as Laidlaw. Wilbur Junior was born that January but died in July at six months. December of 1912, Jonathan Ford was born in Laidlaw, the last child. Punk was fifteen.
Life came at him fast. Christmas three years later, his mother died of complications due to pregnancy. He finished High School, later joined the Army to be stationed in France during World War 1, returned to Bend to work in the tire department at the Bend Garage. The Hunnell family relocated to Bend when Wilbur began work at Shevlin-Hixon Mill near Division and Revere Streets. In December 1927, their father was killed in an accedent at the mill. Punk and his wife had fifteen year-old Ford move in with them. Punk was thirty.
Punk and Isabel Smith had married Christmas Eve 1922. She worked in the women's dress department J.C.Penney. Punk continued at the Bend Garage which later became Bob Thomas Chevrolet. At the end of the Second World War, Punk opened Hunnell Motors, a Dodge/Plymonth agency. During this time, the couple was very active in community life. Punk served as Past Master of the Bend Masonic Lodge No.139 AF & AM, was a member of the Royal Arch Masons, the Commandry and Al Kader Shriners. He also was a long time active member of the Lions Service Club. The Hunnells were members of the Bend Golf Club and the First Methodist Church. Izzy died in 1953.
Punk, a great supporter of young people in high school sports as well as the American Legion baseball teams, put his resoures to work providing rooter buses for the kids for out of town games. Often durind after school practice, Punk was found on the sidelines or seated down close as the teams worked out; always there for the game. Also he was the honorary dad of the Bend High girls drill team, support, and interest, Punk has been honored by having the stadium at the Bend High football field named for him. Punk Hunnell Stadium.
On October 16, 1973 at age of 76, Punk died. Although he and Izzy had no childern of their own, he was survived by devoted nieces and nephews, and many, many students at Bend High who valued from his interest in them.
Thank You Punk.
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