Billy Joe proved his patriotism and love of his country by serving in two military branches. In 1967, he enlisted in the National Guard and was assigned to the 1122nd Transportation Unit in Monticello before transferring his service to the Air Force Reserves unit in Jacksonville where he served until his retirement in 1987. Billy Joe started his career at International Paper in 1969 as a General Yard Laborer but spent most of his 41 year career as a General Mechanic assigned to the Woodyard Crane Shed. In 2010, shortly after accepting the position of Precision Maintenance Instructor, he retired from Evergreen Packaging.
Throughout his life, Billy Joe was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed coon hunting with his favorite dog Buford as a young man. In his later years, squirrel hunting and crappie fishing became favorite pastimes. A love of animals led him into many livestock endeavors including cattle and chicken farming businesses and a multitude of different farm animals raised purely for his own personal enjoyment. Billy Joe always had a love of people and rarely passed up an opportunity to swap stories with friends, old and new. Until his death, he enjoyed "tinkering" in his shop and took pride in his ability to make broken things whole again. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one brother, Charlie Hughes.
Survivors include one son, Marty Hughes of Cornerville; one daughter, Carri Langley and husband Mike of Pine Bluff; two granddaughters, Corri Langley and Calli Langley; one sister, Betty Hughes of Monticello; a sister in law, Donna Hughes of Monticello; and a friend and caregiver, Cora Allen.
A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at Rose Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Leon Crutchfield and Wayne Jordan officiating. To ensure safe social distancing, the family requests that those in attendance park within view of the cemetery and remain inside their vehicles. The audio portion of the service will be broadcast via FM radio at a frequency available in the service program. For anyone who wishes to deliver personal condolences, there will be a drive through receiving line immediately following the service.
Condolences(23)
Tonya Williams Blocker
JERSEY, AR Saturday, May 16, 2020 Carrie and Marty, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I remember living at the sawmill in Cornerville and going down to ya'lls place to help unload baby chick's for the chicken houses. Your dad was a great man and always loved to tell stories. May God wrap his loving arms around you and your family during this time of loss and keep you all close and make you all stronger. Love to all.Katie Blake
Star City, AR Wednesday, May 13, 2020 Prayers, love and symphany for you.George Groghan
HENDERSONVILLE, TN Wednesday, May 13, 2020 My deepest sympathies to Billy Joe's family during this difficult time. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.Butch & Judy Selig
Benton, AR Wednesday, May 13, 2020 We are sorry to learn about the loss of Billy Joe. He was in our class of 1965 at MHS. He was always friendly and cheerful and will be missed by all those who knew him. Prayers for the family during this difficult time.Butch and Judy Selig
Doug & Lisa Nowlin
Pine Bluff, AR Wednesday, May 13, 2020 So sorry to hear of Billy's passing. We enjoyed listening to some of the stories he would tell when he came by the shop. Rest well Billy. Praying for the family.Alan Cherry
Gray, AR Wednesday, May 13, 2020 Mr. Billy was a great man and a good friend. It was an honor to have know him.Kay & Bruce
Star City, AR Tuesday, May 12, 2020 So many memories with your family. Our love and prayers are with you.Martha Sullivan
Star City, AR Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Had a lot of good times with your family , loved you children . So sorry for your loss it he is in a better place.Jerry & Dianne Bolen
Pine Bluff, AR Tuesday, May 12, 2020 So sorry for You're loss! Our prayers and thoughts are with Your Family. We are here if You need Us Dianne and JerryShelia Henry Hobbs
Pine Bluff, AR Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Carrie so very sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.Shelia
Dennis Wells
Springdale, AR Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Betty, sorry to hear of Billy Joe's passing. Prayers for you and the family. I remember Billy Joe when we were a lot younger. Dennis WellsSandy Taliaferro
Hot Springs, AR Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Carri and Marty, I'm so sorry to here about Red. He was a very close friend of mine. We worked together and coon hunted together for years. Red always bragged about how he taught me everything I knew at the paper mill. Again, my heart breaks and my thoughts and Payers are with Y'all and your Family.Richard and Libby Snyder
Crocketts Bluff, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 We are so sorry to hear and are praying for you our friends.John Wood
White Hall, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 Prayers for your family.Randy Alexander
Ashdown, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 Carri and Marty, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Billy (RED) a lot of years at Pine Bluff. He was always great to be around. And he always had a smile. I will miss him. Rest in Peach old friend.Buddy Byrd
Arkadelphia, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 “Red” was a really good friend and I hated to hear he had passed away. We worked at the paper mill together for many years. I will miss him. Praying for the family.Sharon & Jerry Bayliss
Monticello, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 Marty and Carri, So sorry to hear about Billy Joe. He was truly one of a kind. It was always a good and long conversation when we would see each other. He always let others know exactly how he felt about the subject at hand. May y’all find comfort in all the wonderful memories of your Daddy. Prayers for y’all at this time.Mike and Carolyn Hales
Monticello, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 Marty and Carri we have know the Hughs family for a long time. Billy Joe and Mike were in the guards together and will miss seeing him from time to time. You guys are in our prayers.Larry & Gail Hammil
Star City, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 Thoughts and prayers for Billy Joe's family. So sorry for your loss.J.J. Bayliss
Monticello, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 Marty and Carri, I am saddened to hear of your loss of Mr. Billy Joe. I remember him being a hard working man who loved his family and I pray that you will experience God's comfort in your grief.Tammy Sullivan
Waxahachie, TX Monday, May 11, 2020 Carri and Marty -- No words can describe the pain of losing your Daddy, but you have the assurance that now he's in Heaven among friends and family. Keeping you in my prayers. Love you both.Mary Jo Pruitt
Crossett, AR Monday, May 11, 2020 Billy Joe was a special classmate and friend. Billy was a great story teller. He had great Monticello stories and classmates stories. He just recently helped me find a cemetery close to Cornersville where my Majors great grandparents were buried. He gave me the directions and gave me a follow up call to make sure I had found it. I’ll miss my friend. My prayers and condolences to his family. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and sister. Billy Joe you were one if a kind! Mary JoKeith & Gail Boyd
Star City, AR Sunday, May 10, 2020 So sorry to hear about Billy. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.