William “Billy” Hughes

Published 6:06 pm Wednesday, March 2, 2016

William “Billy” Hughes, 78, of Athens died Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at Huntsville Hospital.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 4 at the Spry Funeral Home chapel with Bill Irby officiating. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery.

Visitation is 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Spry.

Mr. Hughes was born Jan. 16, 1938, in Limestone County. He worked his entire life in the construction industry and retired as a superintendent with Martin and Cobey Construction. He was a member of the local carpenters union.

He was an expert craftsman and could build anything by hand. He loved planting and working in his garden and especially loved woodworking.

In the last few years he developed a passion for building guitars, and was known as the “Guitar Man.” He loved spending time with family and friends and could always be counted on to tell a new joke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Laura Hughes; brother, Bobby Hughes; and sister, Betty Faye Adams.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Christine Longshore Hughes; son, Byron Hughes and wife Connie of Athens; daughter: Sharon Miller and husband David of Athens; grandchildren, Jacob Miller and wife Monica of Athens, Benjamin Miller of Madison and Meghan Miller of Auburn; and great-grandson, Vaughn Miller of Athens.

He is also survived by sisters, Elizabeth “Polly” Hight, Jewel Dean Greene and Margie Gold, both of Athens, Judy Johnson of Elkmont, Linda Pitts, Edna Garrett and Nancy Hughes, all of Athens; brother, Harold Hughes of Pulaski, Tennessee.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Miller, Benjamin Miller, Greg Miller, Anthony Greene, John Garrett and David Jackson. Honorary pallbearers are David Miller, Allen Craig, Meghan Miller, Jeff Miller, Chad Miller, Jeremy Garrett and Danny Longshore.