Willard W. Hughes Sr.

Mr. Willard William Isaac Hughes Sr. of Houston, DE passed away peaceful! In Thursday December 12, 2013 at the age of 91. Mr. Hughes was born in Willow Grove, DE on July 28, 1922 to Mae Helen Smith. He was educated at Booker T. Washington School. In 1942, he married Elizabeth Rosella Baynard of Harrington, DE. And to this union twelve children were born. In 1979, he married Genelle Long Jackson and this union continued until his death. He gave his life to Christ in 2008 and served as a member of Mt. Carmel Seventh Day Adventist Church until moving his membership to Denton Company of Seventh Day Adventist in Denton, MD. Mr. Hughes was self-employed for the majority of his life. He was the Owner/Operator of Hughes Building Movers and from 1963 to 1969 he was the manager and sponsor of two teams in the Eastern Shore Semi-Pro Baseball League, the Frederica Falcons and the Houston Braves. Thereafter, he created, managed, and sponsored a softball and baseball team with his seven sons in the Milford Baseball League and the Delmarva Baseball League called the Hughes Movers. They traveled up and down the Eastern Shore competing with other teams usually winning championships or placing first or second. After his retirement from house-moving and managing baseball, he became involved in Standard Bred Harness Racing where he became a member of the United States Trotting Association. In this industry he was Owner, Driver, and Trainer. He was voted Trainer of the Year at Rosecroft Raceway and was featured in a National Harness Racing Magazine. He was an avid gardener and took pride in sharing his produce with family and friends. He was a no-nonsense disciplinarian with strict standards which had to be adhered to. However, he was kind and compassionate and had a very tender heart. He was preceded in death by his first born son, Willard William Isaac Hughes in 1991, his wife and mother of his children, Elizabeth R. Hughes in 2000, his son, Marvin Hughes in 2001 and son, Martin Hughes in 2011, his daughter Charlene Polson in 2011 and his daughter-in-law Deborah Hughes in 2012. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 34 years, Genelle Hughes; his brother, Eugene Smith (Marguerite); his daughters, Brenda Hughes, Marilyn Hughes and Karen Hughes (Edward) of Houston and Shirley Davis (Richard) of Greenwood; his sons, Larry Hughes, James Hughes (Tracey) and Ronald Hughes (Shirley) of Houston and Wayne Hughes (Pam) of Harrington; two daughters-in-law, Beverly Hughes of Houston and Norma Jean Hughes of Harrington. He also leaves 32 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willard W. Hughes Sr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Willard W. Hughes Sr.

July 28, 1922 - December 12, 2013