Billy Ray Smith Jr. passed away at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kimberly Hunt, and their daughter, Savannah.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleSan Diego Chargers star player Billy Ray Smith Jr. has died at the age of 64. The news left the player's fans heartbroken. According to reports, Smith was battling dementia caused by CTE and passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends.
Amid the heartbreaking news of Billy Ray Smith Jr.'s passing, the focus has also shifted to his personal life. For the unversed, the San Diego Chargers legend was married to Kimberly Hunt for 36 years. So, as the world mourns the profound loss, let's take a quick look at who Hunt is.
Former San Diego Chargers star Billy Ray Smith Jr.'s death has left the sports world in mourning. The star player is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hunt, and daughter Savannah. Talking about his wife, Hunt is an Emmy Award-winning San Diego news reporter, chief anchor, and managing editor for KGTV. In her career, she has interviewed several big names, including Oprah Winfrey and other military, political, and business leaders.
She was born in Ventura and raised in Napa. While not much is known about her early life, reports cite that Kimberly Hunt graduated from San Francisco State University and worked as a radio news reporter for KVON/KVYN Radio in Napa in her early years. Her career began after graduation, as she joined ABC Network News as a researcher for Peter Jennings during the 1084 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.
She eventually began working for ABC's Monday Night Football, making her shift to San Diego in 1987 as an anchor for the ABC-affiliated KGTV. Kimberly Hunt currently serves as the chief and primary anchor and managing editor for KGTV. In her decades in the industry, she has received several awards, including four regional Emmy Awards for Best Investigative News Story, Best Feature News Story, Best Journalistic Enterprise, and Best Evening Newscast.
Talking about her personal life, Kimberly Hunt met the love of her life, Billy Ray Smith Jr., during a United Cerebral Palsy telethon. The couple soon hit it off and started dating. While the year they met is unknown, the couple tied the knot on June 9, 1990, at the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. They welcomed their only child, a daughter named Savannah, in 1992.
Billy Ray Jr.'s family announced his passing on July 29, 2026 (ET). The family issued a statement announcing the death of the legendary player and shared that he passed away "peacefully surrounded by family". For the unversed, Billy Ray was battling dementia caused by CTE before his passing. The family cited that he faced the hardships of the disease with "unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength". They added:
"Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend. On the NFL gridiron for a decade with the Chargers and in the decades that followed in sports broadcasting, Billy Ray earned deep respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans, whom he cherished in return. He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives."
Billy Ray Smith Jr.'s family concluded the statement saying, "His undeniable legacy will live forever in our hearts, and we thank our incredible community for the outpouring of love and support. Details regarding a memorial celebration will be shared at a later date." For the unversed, the linebacker was selected by the Chargers with the fifth overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft and spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the franchise. Smith later earned a place in the Chargers Hall of Fame and went on to build a successful career in sports broadcasting.
RIP, Billy Ray Smith Jr.
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