Francis L. Huntley, age 77 passed away at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 7, 2019. He was born in Cottonwood, Idaho on July 30, 1941 to Guy & Ada Huntley and spent most of his life in the Central Idaho Area.
After graduating Cottonwood High School in 1959, he worked two years as a seasonal worker for the U. S. Forest Service. On December 7, 1961, he joined the United States Marine Corp. He saw duty at NAS Cubi Point, during the Cuban missile Crisis, and from 6 March, 1964 to 6 July 1965 he was deployed to DaNang, Vietnam with the First Marine Squadron.
After returning to the United States, Francis, reenlisted on 29 December,1965 and returned to Vietnam assigned to the 1st Marine Air Wing, DaNang. In February of 1967, he extended his tour of duty for six months. He returned to the States in September of 1968 and was stationed in Texas and Arizona. On 30 April, 1973 was retired as a disabled veteran.
During his military career, Francis received the following commendations: National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, the Republic of Vietnam Commendation Medal with device, the RVN Cross of Gallantry with palm, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, a Presidential Unit Commendation, and the Good Conduct Medal with two stars. He also, unofficially, received a pair of wings for flying twice the speed of sound in the back seat of an F4B fighter.
After his service years he lived in San Diego, California and Boise Idaho for several years, before returning to Cottonwood, Idaho in 1986, where he worked locally as a bartender. This was followed by an interest in computers which led him into designing websites. He moved, with his oldest brother, Albert to Orofino, Idaho in 1995 where he designed websites for various businesses in that locality.
In search of a warmer, dryer climate,Francis moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2017, where he lived until his death.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Albert, Dawn, Myrick, Leland, Raymond; and his sister, Marguerite. He is survived by his brothers, Les of Lewiston, Idaho, James of Grangeville, Idaho and John of Middletown, Delaware; and his cousins, Linda & Steve of Las Vegas, Nevada, who faithfully looked after him.
A graveside service will be held in Cottonwood at a future date.
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