Billy M. Hughes, Lieutenant Colonel, (U.S. Army, Retired)
Lieutenant Colonel, (U.S. Army, Retired) Billy M. Hughes, age 80, passed away February 29, 2020. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID 19), a Funeral Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta has been postponed. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Billy M. Hughes graduated from Senath-Hornersville High School in Senath, Missouri in 1957 and then graduated from Arkansas State University as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Printing Management. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army and detailed as an Armor officer. After two years in the 4th Tank Battalion, 68th Armor Division, LTC Hughes was transferred to the Adjutant General Corps.
Of career note, when LTC Hughes was assigned to the Army Publications Center in Baltimore, Maryland, he implemented a computerized management system that the Center used for decades. LTC Hughes serviced two tours of duty in Vietnam; 1966-67 and 1970-71. His other overseas duties included tours in Germany and Korea. While in Korea, he served as Chief, Protocol, 8th U.S. Army, Forces Korea, and United Nations Command.
LTC Hughes’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, DOD Meriorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1st OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2d OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1SS & 1 BS, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 DEV, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (Unit Cit) (2d Award), and 3 Overseas Bars.
LTC Hughes earned a Master’s of Arts in Public Administration from Central Michigan University in 1978. After retiring from Military Service he served as the Vice President for Human Relations for Financial Service Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia and then transitioned into the automotive industry for over 20 years, culminating as the Assistant Director of Fixed Operations for an automotive dealership conglomerate in Metro Atlanta. LTC Hughes was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. He also served as a past Commodore, for Two Daze Pleasure Yacht Club and was a charter member of the U.S. Army National Museum. He was a fraternal brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE), Arkansas State University.
Lieutenant Colonel Hughes is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lieutenant Colonel (US Army Retired) Zina L. (Antoskow II) Hughes; daughter, Kelley Megan; sons, Todd Patrick, Steven Mark, and Bradley Alan; brother, John "Ricky" (Penny) Simmons;sisters, Mary Brown, Fern Ellen "Dutchie" Skelton and Ruth Ann Pfeifer; four grandsons, Cameron, Hudson, Jaxson, and Mark Hughes.
West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. in Marietta, GA are in charge of arrangements.