EDDYVILLE —
William E. Hughes, age 91, of Eddyville, passed away on Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, 2013, at the Hospice Serenity House of Oskaloosa.
Bill was born Oct. 2, 1921, the son of James and Minnie (Rhoads) Hughes. Bill stayed at home after 8th grade graduation, helping his dad with chores and farm work and later he helped his brother John on the truck. Later, he received his truck driving license and he helped haul corn, coal and machinery out of Kewanee, Ill. During the winter months, he worked at John Deere in Rock Island, Ill.
He joined the Navy in 1944 and was discharged the last part of 1946. In 1947, Bill bought 127 acre farm at Coalfield.
On April 3, 1948, William and Phyllis Foster were united in marriage. They shared over 64 years of marriage and were blessed with four sons: Howard, Paul, Jim and Phil Hughes.
Bill was a farmer most of his life. He raised many hogs and milked many cows. After Bill’s retirement from farming, he worked at Cargill for 21 years as a janitor and then he and Phyllis retired and moved to Eddyville.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his son: Howard Hughes; one granddaughter: Amy (Hughes) Pettyjohn; two brothers: John and Robert Hughes; and six sisters: Mary Selzer, Edith McConkey, Sister (Neva) Francella Hughes, Dorothy Celania, Agnes Hughes and Catherine Mark.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis of Eddyville; three sons: Paul (Pam) Hughes of Eddyville, Jim (Peggy) Hughes of Eddyville and Phil (Valerie) Hughes of Lovilia; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren. Bill is also survived by one sister: Esther Flanders of Montezuma.
A funeral mass for Bill will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday Jan. 26, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Oskaloosa, with Father Ron Hodges and Pastor Paul Hughes officiating. Burial with military rites will follow services at Highland Cemetery of Eddyville.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25, at the Eddyville Funeral Chapel. A Christian wake service will be held Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. Bill’s family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday evening at the funeral home.
A memorial has been established to Bill’s family.
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January 25, 2013
