James Ray Hunter ("J. Ray Hunter"), 83, of Sanford, born November 16, 1924, died peacefully Saturday, November 8, surrounded by his family at Wake Medical Center.

Mr. Hunter was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy having served upon a destroyer in the Atlantic and Pacific. His ship, the USS Southerland was the first U.S. Warship to enter and anchor in Tokyo Bay on August 28, 1945 where he witnessed the signing of the Surrender Document on the USS Missouri.