William Eugene Huffstutler

On April 6, 2016, William Eugene Huffstutler passed peacefully at 86, at the home of his daughter, Shelley Corzine, in Paducah, KY. Bill joins the love of his life, Nancy Jane Huffstutler, watching over their kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, from Heaven above.

Bill was born on December 17, 1929 in Herrin, Illinois to Lena (Caloni) Huffstutler and Ray Huffstutler.

Bill attended school in Herrin, Illinois after which he joined the Navy and proudly served his country from 1947-1951, receiving the Korean Medal, Japanese Occupation, Navy Occupation American Theatre. Bill and Nancy Jane Minton married on August 17, 1952. They had six children and enjoyed a long marriage. Bill moved his family to San Diego, California, where he began working in the warehouse at Fedco, from 1957-1989, eventually retiring as the National City, CA. store superintendent. When he retired, he learned to relax and enjoy the simple things in life including the joy of being a grandparent. He and Nancy returned to his hometown in Herrin, Illinois in 2002, where he hoped to reconnect with family and enjoy the peace and solitude of small town living.

Bill enjoyed listening to baseball games on the radio, while watching the broadcast on mute, reading his endless collection of Louis Lamoore books, spending time with his friends at the American Legion and VFW, and most importantly, spending quite moments with his best friend, Nancy.

Those that knew Bill, loved him. He never forgot a name, but rarely used them. All of his friends were considered family, and were greeted as “Sweetie” or “Buddy,” the terms of endearment he used for all of his grandchildren and the numerous amounts of friends that were paraded through his home, often raiding the refrigerator and cabinets for snacks and treats that Nancy always stocked, in anticipation for visitors.

Bill, or Dad, or Gpa as he is known to those who know and love him, was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and three brothers, as well as his wife Nancy, daughter Kathryn and eldest daughter Andrea. Bill is survived by three wonderful daughters, Shelley Corzine of Paduca, KY, Patricia Cowley of Henderson, NV, and Kelly Petty of Phoenix, AZ; two amazing sons, Joe Huffstutler of Chula Vista, CA, and Robert Huffstutler of San Diego, CA; son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws that he loved as his own; 15 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Surviving siblings include his sister Clara Sandy, of Herrin, Ill., and brothers Fred Huffstutler and Jerry Huffstutler.

While Bill will be missed by all who know and love him, his family is at peace knowing that he has been reunited with his true love, Nancy, and they are enjoying their time together keeping an eye on the family. Of all of the life lessons that Bill has instilled upon his family, the one that resonates most of all is that family comes first, and everything else will work itself out. Please join us as we celebrate his life, as well as the life of Nancy, by looking towards the sky, smiling, and enjoying a hearty laugh. It is what they would both want.