Arthur Graves Colonel Hughes, Jr.

Colonel Arthur Graves Hughes, Jr. (Bill) took his last flight on December 8, 2016 after 93 beautiful years of life. Bill, (also known as Colonel, Popeye, Dad, Grandpa, and Pop-Pop) was born on March 17, 1923 in Anniston, Alabama to Arthur G. Hughes, Sr. and Flora Knighton Hughes. Bill had several childhood jobs in Anniston, including delivering coal, delivering blocks of ice for the "ice box", delivering ice cream, and delivering newspapers. On December 8, 1941 – the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor - Bill enlisted in the Army and, after learning that being in infantry meant "walking everywhere," he eagerly accepted an opportunity to train to be a pilot in the Army Air Corps – what would eventually be known as the Air Force.

While training in Rhode Island, Bill met the love of his life, Lois Ann, on a blind date set up by her sister and brother-in-law. They went to a casino and Bill said he knew Lois was "the one" when she spent all of his nickels on the slot machines. The day he was to deploy overseas to fight in WWII, Bill snuck off post, climbing through a hole in the fence, and took a train to Washington, D.C. where Lois was staying with friends. He proposed to her with "the biggest diamond he could afford" and crawled back through the fence just as the bus was loading up to leave. Bill would spend three years flying missions during WWII in the China Burma India Theater.

After the war ended, Bill and Lois were married on her 19th birthday on January 9, 1946 in Washington, D.C. They had two children, Arthur Graves, III (Trey) and Beryl Alice (Cricket). While stationed in Washington, D.C. Bill obtained a Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland. Shortly thereafter, he served as a transport pilot during The Korean War, returning to a position in the Pentagon where he helped guide strategy for the upcoming Vietnam War.

The young family moved several times, spending time at Dover AFB in Delaware and Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina. In 1961, the family relocated to San Antonio when Bill was transferred to Lackland AFB. The family lived on base at Lackland and Bill was known for entertaining the troops and residents that were stationed there. Bill, Lois, and the kids often celebrated Thanksgiving or Christmas in the mess hall with the airmen. Bill dressed up as Santa Claus and delighted in repeating his "Ho Ho Ho" and always asked the Airmen if they had been good. To his children, Bill was Santa Claus!

Bill passed his love of flying on to his son, Trey. In the 60s and 70s, the Department of Defense had a program where a military pilot could (with prior approval) take an immediate family member on a familiarization flight in a multi-seat military aircraft. The only exceptions to this policy were the military member's father and eldest son. As his eldest – and only – son, Trey was excluded from joining his father in flight. This changed in the late 60s when Trey enlisted in the Texas Air National Guard (TexANG) and went from "eldest son" Trey to Sgt. Hughes. This meant that, as a member of the military, he could now fly in a military aircraft and Bill could be the pilot.

The TexANG at Kelly had a military version of the Cessna 310, a twin-engine, 4-place piston executive transport, called the U-3A. Since it could be flown by a single pilot, it was perfect for a father/son flying experience. And since Bill had to get his regular flight training periods to stay current, he would often "check out" the U-3 and he and Trey would go fly here and there around Texas. He would make the take-off and handle the radio chores and Trey would handle the navigation and flight controls. This was Trey's first introduction to becoming a pilot and would lead to what would become a career in civilian aviation. While he couldn't legally act as Trey's flight instructor, he gave him the foundation that Trey would later complete at a local flight school.

Bill retired from the Air Force in 1972 at the age of 49. In 1974, his first grandchild, Kristina, was born and his grandson, A.G., came four years later in 1978. Spending time with their grandchildren became a focus for Bill and Lois. Bill was a doting grandfather and the most excellent playmate for his grandchildren. Whether it was tea parties in his camper, fishing, making mud pies, or helping to find the best trees to climb – his presence in his grandchildren's young lives left an indelible mark.

Throughout their retirement, Bill and Lois were active in their Shady Oaks neighborhood and Bill was a beloved presence in their community. Bill and Lois spent many years traveling in their RV with their friends in the Renegade RV Group. Bill could be found riding around campgrounds across the country on his little red Honda Spree – always with a cigar in his mouth. When Bill and Lois stopped RVing, they started cruising. Together, they went on more than 30 cruises and visited numerous countries. Traveling together and with family was one of their favorite things to do and Bill always said that, of the places they had seen, Hawaii was his favorite.

To his family and friends and even those who just knew him in passing, Bill was a ray of sunshine. He was a friend to everyone he met and knew no strangers. Always ready with a quick one-liner, he had an energy that made those around him instantly comfortable. He was always, ALWAYS happy and loved to express that happiness with sayings like, "If I were any better, I'd be twins". Undoubtedly, the sun will shine less brightly without him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Ann Conklin Hughes; sister, Anita Hughes Smith and parents Arthur G. Hughes, Sr. and Flora Knighton Hughes. He is survived by his son, Arthur G. Hughes, III (Trey) and wife, Lela; daughter, Beryl Alice Rose and husband, Tom; granddaughter, Kristina Hernandez and husband, Scott; grandson, Arthur G. Hughes IV (A.G.) and wife, Kelley; great-grandchildren, Brianna, Riley, Haydn, Keller, and Clayton. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, John Kester, Rush Kester, and Susan Kester Puleo Butcher.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 30, 2016

12:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Operation K9, at www.operationk9.org.