William E. "Billy" Hughes

William Elbert "Billy" Hughes, 83, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at North Mississippi Medical Center surrounded by his family. A native of Tupelo, he was born March 22, 1935 to Manley and Hattie Sargent Hughes and was a 1953 graduate of Tupelo High School. He fell in love with his childhood sweetheart, Mary Jane McGuire, and they enjoyed 64 years of marriage. For a number of years, he served in the United States Army where he drove a tank and was the quarterback of the football team. In 1968, he founded the Rose Hill Company. He was also one of the original members of the founding team of the Mississippi Building of the Tupelo Furniture Market. Billy enjoyed golfing and was the best socializer in North Mississippi. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Hughes; four children, Emily Tanner (Joe) of Booneville, Ruth Cassilly (Bill) of Tupelo, Bill Hughes of Oxford and Hamp Hughes (Blair) of Tupelo; daughter-in-law, Gretchen Hughes; ten grandchildren, Janie Tanner, Jenny Spencer (Bryant), Rylan Tanner, Lauren Cassilly Asters (Clayton), Bill Cassilly (Allyssa), Caroline Hughes, William Hughes, John Hampton Hughes, Jr., Justin Hughes and Bryson Hughes; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Whitney Cassilly Thompson; and sister, Martha Griffin.

A gathering of friends will be 1 until 3 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2019 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues. Private family services will follow.

Honorary pallbearer will be his very best friend, Joe Bitsy Savery.

Memorials may be made to the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, 2400 S Gloster St, Tupelo, MS 38801 or Regional Rehab, 615 Pegram Dr. Tupelo, MS 38801.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .