William Thomas “Bill” Hughes, 81, of Monticello, long-time newspaper man and former publisher of The Monticello News died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 at Northside Hospital in Atlanta.
Born in Albany, N.Y., he was the son of W.T. Hughes of Rock Hill, S.C. and Mildred Kinnett Hughes of Dayton, Ohio. He was educated in Roanoke, Va. public schools, and attended Virginia Tech before graduating in 1962 from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a journalism degree.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air Force Reserves, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel with the North Carolina National Guard.
He worked for various newspapers in the Roanoke, Va. area, for the Rock Hill Evening Herald in Rock Hill, S.C., The Charlotte News in Charlotte, N.C., and then served as business editor of the Atlanta Journal/Constitution.
He and his wife, Christine, purchased The Monticello News in 1975. Together they ran the paper until Mrs. Hughes died in 1990. After that, Mr. Hughes remained as publisher, and his two younger daughters, Kathy and Jenny, assisted in producing the newspaper.
He was a licensed pilot, and took many hours of pleasure flying himself, family, and friends to various destinations for fun. He and his family hosted an exchange student from Mexico, who had the opportunity to fly with him. His other hobbies included boating, camping, reading, attending theatre productions, and dancing.
His wife and mother of his children, Chris, preceded him in death 21 years ago. His second wife, Bonnie Allen Hughes, preceded him in death four years ago.
Survivors include four daughters, Cynthia DeSevilla-Pierce of Atlanta, Debby Rush of Conyers, Kathy Mudd and Jenny Murphy, both of Monticello; nine grandchildren, Adam Hughes Stoddard, Anna Brooke Sullivan, and Michael Thomas Rush, all of Atlanta; Katy Rush of Conyers, Abbey Rush of Monroe, Hannah Christine Pope, Elizabeth Hobby and Trevor Phillips, all of Monticello, and Emily Pope of Newnan; two great-grandchildren, Madalyn Kilgo of Conyers and Cooper Kirven of Monroe; a brother, Dick Hughes of Salem, Va., and a number of other relatives and friends.
Mr. Hughes donated his body to Emory University School of Medicine.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2:30 p.m. at Monticello First United Methodist Church, 651 College St., Monticello, 31064. Dr. John Brown will officiate.
Flowers are appreciated, or donations may be made to Georgia Press Educational Foundation, 3066 Mercer University Dr., Ste. 200, Atlanta, GA 31064, or the charity of your choice.