William Hughes

W.E. “Bill” Hughes passed away January 20, 2012 at 96 years young. Born in Brownsville PA. , He grew up in nearby Amity PA. until attending college at the University of Alabama. He joined the Army as a Reserve for a 1 year term until Dec. 7th 1941 changed that commitment. He became an Officer and commanded a Anti Aircraft Battery of the 535th . He landed at Normandy on D-Day and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. He earned 5 Battle stars , a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart during the campaign. After the war he returned to PA. and married Mavis Sloan of Iowa. They moved to Florida near his parents, to the Fishing town of Everglades City where he worked up to Manage the Everglades Seafood Co. He became a member of Tamiami Trail Lodge # 242 and stayed involved with the community there until he moved his family to Naples where he managed Oleum Corp. After retiring from Oleum he became one of the Directors of First Bank of Immokalee until age 70. Still not ready to quit, he became a Teller at the Naples-Ft Myers Greyhound Track until age 88 where he used his gift for gab and sense of humor to set even the sorest of losers mind at ease.

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents William and Emma, Sister Jane And Beloved Wife Mavis. He is survived by his three sons

William “Butch” (Ilona) , Robert “Skeeter”, and Richard “Ricky” (Carol), four Granddaughters Kimberly Sandstrom (Shawn), Kristi Rench (Brian), Leslie Anderson (Chris) and Stephanie Mathews (Micah) along with five Great Grandchildren Ashley, Makenzie, Devin, Brianna and soon to arrive Easton.

He served his family and country with love, loyalty and a zest for life with laughter, and he died a proud Alumni of his National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He will be missed but not forgotten.

The family will receive friends from 11 – 12 on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, where funeral services will follow at 12 noon.

Any donations in his memory can be made to Tidewell Hospice Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota FL. 34238

Interments will be at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements under the direction of Hodges Funeral Home At Naples Memorial Gardens, Naples, FL.