William Colas Huling

William Colas Huling, known as Bill or Billy, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on February 20th, 1944, to Ellsworth Charles Huling, Jr. and Wilma Louise (Rhoten). He was the second of six children. He was a true New Mexican: the green and red chile never left him. Bill graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1962. Before transferring to Langston University (LU), he briefly attended the University of New Mexico. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History with Honors in 1967. While at LU ("Ls Up"), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., initiated Bill into the Beta Kappa Chapter in 1965. He met his soulmate, Velma "Jeanne" Johnson, at LU, and that was "all she wrote!" The two married on June 30th, 1967. Two months later, Bill was drafted and shipped off to Korea.

Upon his return from Korea, Bill and Jeanne moved to Dallas, where he began his Federal service with the Office of Personnel Management. They welcomed two daughters, Pam (‘70) & Missy (‘74), whom he adored. In 1976, OPM promoted Bill, and back to ABQ they went, with Pam & Missy in tow. In 1980 with another promotion, the Hulings landed back in "Big D." Bill retired in 1999 with more than 30 years of Federal service.

Bill lived by the Golden Rule and, as a child, was baptized at Mt. Olive

Missionary Baptist Church, where his grandfathers were deacons. Bill was an avid angler, hole in one golfer (Par 3 golf club), a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, and he never said NO to a "honey-do" list. Bill's commitment to his civil service roots continued in retirement, where he monitored elections around the country for the Department of Justice.

Bill and Jeanne traveled the world and celebrated their Golden Anniversary in 2017 with a host of family and friends. They lived a wonderful 54 years together.

Bill is survived by his wife, Velma "Jeanne"; two daughters, Pamela (Dante') and Melissa (Kevin); Brother, Morris (Valerie); Sisters, Rose Jones and Donna Huling; Brother-in-law, James C. Johnson; Sisters-in-law, Grace Johnson, Delores Huling, and Yvette (TC) Johnson; four grandchildren, Caitlyn and Lauryn Jones and Madison and William Malonson; MUCHO beloved nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends who loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers you may contribute to Langston University in Bill’s name at https://www.langston.edu/gift-giving