Cecil Hughs

On December 16, 2012, Cecil Ray Hughs, 85, of Billings, was called to join his loving wife, Caroline and other deceased loved ones in Heaven. He was born March 22, 1927 in Morgan, Texas, the son of James E. and Agnes (Cox) Hughs. He grew up and attended schools in Valley Mills, Texas. At age 15, he joined the Merchant Marines and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged on August 15, 1945. On November 17, 1947 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Caroline A. Kisel, in Lakin, Kansas. Cecil was a skilled pipe fitter/welder who worked many years at Great Western Sugar, and retired as a proud member of Billings Plumber's and Pipe fitter's Union, Local 30. In his younger years Cecil enjoyed gardening, fishing and working with youth activities such as coaching Little League Baseball, serving as a Cub Scout Master, and serving School District Number 2 as a PTA president. In later years he enjoyed working with his wife Caroline as a volunteer at the Billings Southside Senior Citizens Center. Cecil is survived by children, James (Jennifer) Hughs, Mike (Merle) Hughs, Cecil (Jean) Hughs, and Rita (Rob) Wells, all of Billings; grandchildren, Jeff Hughs, Cara Fairbanks, Jonathan Hughs, Katy Hughs, Caroline JoAnn Stiff, Erika Rae Stiff; and numerous great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son William (Willie) P. Hughs, and brothers, James E. Hughs Jr. and Willie P. Hughs. The family would like to thank the staff at Billings Health and Rehabilitation Community as well as all of Cecil's caregivers who showed him so much kindness over the years. Service: Vigil Services for Cecil will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Little Flower Church. Following the funeral mass, a service for family members will be held in Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.