Walter Ralph Hughes' Obituary
Walter R. Hughes, 87, passed away October 13, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Katherine Hughes, and by his son, Farmer Porter “Bubba” Hughes, and grandson Nathan Boyd Hughes. Walter graduated from Central High School then went to study engineering at Mississippi State University, was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, before entering the Army Air Corps as a P-51 fighter pilot during WWII. He served with the 4th fighter group and the 355th fighter group, second division scouting force, and Eighth Air Force. After the war, Walter attended Washington University in St. Louis then returned to Memphis to work for Hughes Mechanical Contractors, a company started by his grandfather in 1904. Walter retired as President of Hughes Mechanical in 1998. Walter is survived by his wife of 67 years, Emily Porter Hughes, and sons; Walter Ralph Hughes, Jr. and his wife Carolyn, Charles Andrew “Linkey” Hughes and his wife Jan of Gallatin TN, Palmer Smith, John Shannon Hughes and his wife Esther, and daughter-in-law, Linda S. Hughes, all of Memphis, and grandchildren; Eric Hughes, Ryan Hughes and his wife Katie, Dr. Shannon Hughes Foote and her husband Chris, Dr. Adam Hughes and his wife Jackie, Andrew Hughes and his wife Laura, Walter S. Hughes, Sara Smith, Bryan Smith, Emily Smith Francis and her husband David and five great-grandchildren; John Porter Hughes, William McDaniel Hughes, Duncan Blue Hughes, Elizabeth Stirling Hughes and Olivia Michelle Land. All called him “Daddy Walter.” He also leaves a brother, Howard Hughes, of Bolivar, TN, and a sister, Patsy Miller, of Memphis; six nieces and nephews and several grand nieces and nephews. Walter was an avid golfer and outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and camping. Services will be held in the Wilson Chapel at Christ United Methodist Church Monday October 17 where he was an active member and a member of the Bible Sunday School Class. Family will receive friends Monday at 1 pm in the Parlor of the church until service time at 2:30pm. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society or the Church Health Center. Memorial Park Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”. www.memorialparkonline.com
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