William E. Hughes

William E. Hughes, 65, of Delphi, passed away Dec. 28, 2007, at 11:25 p.m. at Monticello Healthcare Center. He had been a resident there since June and had battled colon cancer for the past three years.

Mr. Hughes was born Jan. 13, 1942, in Rossville, Ill. to the late Willard and Lavena Holstine Hughes.

He was a 1960 graduate of Rossville High School in Illinois.

A U.S. Army veteran, he served from 1962 to 1966 stationed at Ayers Kaserne, Germany, and Fort Benning, Ga., with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry, specializing in artillery.

Mr. Hughes worked for N&S Railroad for 18 years. He then worked for Peek Trucking in Camden for five years and most recently at Eikenberry Trucking in Flora for two years.

He was an avid fisherman and a lifetime member of Bass Masters and the North American Fishing Club. He enjoyed NASCAR and driver Jeff Gordon and Green Bay Packers football.

Surviving are four sons, Steven Hughes (wife: Lynn) of Catlin, Ill., Michael Hughes (wife: Ann) and Matthew E. Hughes, all of Delphi, and Marcus Hughes (wife: Sharina) of Monticello; a daughter, Michelle L. Robinson of Lafayette; three sisters, Mary Zemke (husband: Fred) of Hoopeston, Ill., Jean Johnson (husband: Wil) of Lafayette and Susan Queen of Scarborough, Maine; four brothers, David Hughes (wife: Heather) and Russ Hughes, all of Hoopeston, Bob Hughes (wife: Barbara) of Peoria, Ill. and Joe Hughes of Watseka, Ill.; and 14 grandchildren.

The family will receive friends today, Wednesday, from 10 a.m. until the memorial service begins at 11 at Abbott Funeral Home in Delphi. Pastor Micah Hudson will officiate. Burial will be at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Delphi.