William Hughes

HUGHES, WILLIAM (BILL) FRANKLIN - William (Bill) Franklin Hughes, age 89, of Roswell NM, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2019 in Roswell, NM.

No services will be held at this time. Bill's remains will be interned at a later date with full military honors at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Bill was born on February 6, 1930 in Howe, Nebraska. His parents were John Oscar and Bertha Faye (Douglas) Hughes, both deceased along with two siblings, Jack Hughes of New York and Margie Seastead of Omaha, Nebraska.

Bill joined the Air Force in 1948, one month short of being 18. He went to San Antonio Basic training and the Denver Auto Mechanic School. Bill also had a Master Mechanics MOS. He transferred to Fairchild Washington as a Corporal and ended up in Gunnery school and went to Japan and Korean War.

After Korea, he was assigned to Roswell Walker Air Force Base. There he met Bettie Richardson, they married March 7, 1953. He retired from the Air Force in February of 1968 as a Master Sargent and became a Roswell Police Officer in 1971, then retired in 1989. He was active in his church and helped coordinate the Roswell Community Kitchen volunteer team for over 19 years until his health deteriorated.

Bill received military awards: Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal with 4 Major Battle Stars, Small Arms Expert, Air Crew Combat Readiness Medal, Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation Individual Good Conduct with 5 loops (20 years), Air Force Longevity, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters 51 Missions- Korea, Air Force Outstanding Unit, National Defense Medal, NCO Academy Graduate, and United Nations.

Bill leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Bettie Hughes of Roswell, NM and one daughter, Cynthia (Cyndi) Hughes Evans, of New Bloomfield, MO. Two granddaughters, Ericka Block of Columbia, MO and Elizabeth Evans, of New Bloomfield, MO; one great grandson, Hunter Oliver, and sister in law, Bonnie Richardson of Ruidoso Downs, NM; 5 nieces and 5 nephews and numerous very special friends.

The family would like donations made in Bill's honor to The Assurance Home, 1000 E. 18th St., Roswell, NM 88201; Royal Family Kids Campof Roswell, P.O. Box 3886, Roswell, NM 88202 or VA Transportation, 2114 W. 2nd St., Roswell, NM 88201.