William E. Gunther Jr., a grocery store produce manager and an Army veteran, died March 29 at Greater Baltimore Medical Center of a heart attack. He was 68.
The son of William E. Gunther Sr., an insurance salesman, and Constance Collins Gunther, a homemaker, William Ennis Gunther Jr. was born in Baltimore and raised in Salisbury and Towson, where he graduated in 1964 from Towson High School.
After high school, he enlisted in the Army, serving as a Green Beret stateside. He was an active member of Special Forces Chapter 26 in Baltimore.
After being discharged, he worked in the early 1970s as a bartender at the Crease on York Road in Towson. He later worked in sales at the old Albert Gunther Hardware Co., a family business, on West Biddle Street and Maryland Avenue.
At his death, Mr. Gunther was produce manager at The Fresh Market at Quarry Lake, near Pikesville.
He enjoyed playing Santa Claus for children in his East Towson neighborhood and working on home improvement projects.
Mr. Gunther was a fan of the Orioles and Ravens.
At his request, there will be no services.
Mr. Gunther is survived by his wife of 38 years, the former Charlyn "Sunny" Locke; two brothers, Christopher Gunther of Sykesville and Jeffrey Gunther of Midlothian, Va.; a sister, C. Patricia Scott of Palm Coast, Fla.; a stepsister, Christina Ruth of Houma, La.; and many nieces and nephews.
Due to incorrect information that was submitted to the Baltimore Sun, an earlier version misstated Mr. Gunther's place of employment. The Sun regrets the error.