LCpl Hunter Chase Whitley USMC
October 26, 1999 – November 13, 2022
Afghanistan
Hunter Chase Whitley was born on October 26, 1999 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After graduating high school in 2018, he decided to join the United States Marine Corps, aspiring to serve his country as an automatic rifleman. After graduating bootcamp and infantry training, he was given orders to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, where he later was assigned to Charlie Co,1st Platoon.
In February 2021, he and his company deployed with the 24th MEU, where they trained in England, Scotland, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Towards the end of their deployment, he and his company received word that they would be deploying to Kabul, Afghanistan to assist with the US withdrawal. While there, Hunter impacted thousands of lives of Afghani civilians who were given a chance to escape to freedom safely.
After returning from deployment, Hunter was honorably discharged from the military in July 2022 and returned to Tuscaloosa to study Computer Science and Psychology at the University of Alabama. Despite making friends easily, as he always had, and thriving in school, Hunter was struggling on the inside with what he saw in Afghanistan during the withdrawal. On November 13, 2022, Hunter passed away after battling with his mental health, devastating everyone who loved him.
Hunter is remembered as someone who made everyone feel included and loved. He loved music, art, fashion, and his signature tattoos. His legacy will live on forever through his friends, family, and the lives the Butterfly Initiative will impact.
Hunter Chase Whitley, age 23, of Tuscaloosa, passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2022. Our family is devastated and shocked by this enormous loss.
Hunter was born on October 26, 1999 in Tuscaloosa. He graduated from Brookwood High School in 2018 and joined the United States Marines Corps shortly thereafter. In August 2022, he returned to Tuscaloosa to attend The University of Alabama to pursue his major in Computer Science.
These past few months he enjoyed making new friends, and was very loved by his work family. If you were ever around Hunter for even just a short period of time, you know that he made everything look great. His style was eclectic. He was amazingly attractive, and his personality was magnetic. Hunter was handsome, intelligent, and exciting. An avid music lover, he enjoyed music, art, and doing almost anything with his friends. Hunter’s diverse nature along with his love and concern for everyone was evident in his actions. Hunter was known for his unforgettable blue eyes, smile, contagious laugh as well as his motivation and charisma.
Hunter is survived by his parents, Edward and Shannon McDaniel and Jon Whitley; grandparents, Larry Jeff Walker, Jr., Debbie Walker, and Ronnie and Sonya McDaniel; sisters Jonna Summer Whitley (Andrew Fortenberry) and Hailey Allen (Philip); brother Preston McDaniel (Emma); nieces Sadie Scott Renae Whitley and Harper Wayne McDaniel; nephews Asher Smith and Philip Eugene Allen. Jr.; aunt Suzanne Hinton (Brian); uncle Trey Walker; and many very special aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Please know that the fun times you experienced with Hunter are treasured and we are thankful that you are part of his life. We hope that his love and concern give you peace. May we all be inspired and led to love others with the care and concern as he and to share a smile and a laugh with others. “Now when you die your life goes on. It doesn’t end here when you’re gone. Every soul is filled with light. It never ends and if I’m right, our love can even reach across eternity ~ I believe. Oh, I believe.” (from the song, “I Believe” by Diamond Rio).
Resting Place: Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, Alabama
