Bill Huffmaster

William "Bill" Mitchell Huffmaster, age 91, of Tebbetts, Mo., passed away peacefully Thursday, August 29, 2024, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital.
He was born on September 3, 1932, in Tebbetts, Mo., on the family farm. Bill is the son of Ralph Jefferson Huffmaster and Thelma Urton Huffmaster. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Noel Alegra Snyder, on August 2, 1952, in his hometown, sharing a loving 72 years of marriage together.
After graduating from Jefferson City High School, Bill was drafted into the military and honorably served during the Korean War and was stationed in Korea to assist in the building of POW camps, airfields and other projects.
When he returned to civilian life, Bill continued his education at the University of Missouri and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Wildlife Management). He then started his professional career as an appraiser, and as a surveyor for the building of Interstate I-70 through Missouri.
Bill continued his career for many years with New York Life Insurance and worked his way to Senior Vice President of the mortgage loan division. His tenure at New York Life moved Bill away from Missouri, where his family lived in several states including New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, Connecticut and Texas. After retiring from New York Life Insurance, he was asked to assist in the Federal government receivership management of Sunbelt Savings & Loan. Following this assistance, Bill and Noel decided to return to the family homestead in Tebbetts. Even in full retirement, he wasn't one to sit idle. Bill became a postman in Tebbetts, proudly carrying on his father Ralph's legacy where Ralph was the former postmaster of rural routes for 29 years.
Being a staple in the community, Bill assisted in running the Tebbetts town picnic for several years with his wife, Noel. Bill held membership in several organizations including the Tebbetts Masonic Lodge 565, with over 50 years of membership while serving as District Deputy Grand Master, and Master of the Tebbetts lodge; OddFellows Lodge 596, as Noble Grand Master, Vice Grand Master, and Deputy District Grand Master; service on the board of the Tebbetts Community Center, as well as Riverview Cemetery. Bill was devoted to his faith and attended Tebbetts United Methodist Church, where he also served on the board.
When Bill wasn't busy with helping others, he found joy in the great outdoors. He particularly enjoyed gardening and always had a healthy vegetable garden; was a very skilled rifleman and enjoyed hunting; was deemed the "fish whisperer" by his family as he would always be the one to catch that big fish; enjoyed boating and sports – especially baseball, which he eventually played as a semi-pro player. Bill was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Redskins. Skilled with his hands, Bill could fix just about anything, from car engines to electrical, building many things over his lifetime as a skilled craftsman, particularly at woodworking. In his early twenties he built furniture that the family still has today.
Above all, Bill treasured his family. Bill was a man who couldn't sit still and was always on the go-whether he was lending a hand to his family, friends, and neighbors or simply seeking some quiet time in nature in his deer stand or throwing a line in one of his ponds. His warm and generous spirit fostered countless relationships throughout his life. Bill was a selfless man with strong morals and a solid work ethic, and a 'family first' attitude - values he passed on to his children. Everyone who knew him will remember Bill for his kindness, compassion and his love for Noel.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Noel; children, Dennis Huffmaster of Frisco, Tx., Sherry Johnson (David) of Atlanta, Ga., Stuart Huffmaster of Houston, Tx., and Scotty Huffmaster (Chris) of Tebbetts, Mo.; siblings, Marilyn Hartmann and Norman Huffmaster; grandchildren, Scott Huffmaster (Elizabeth), Emily Johnson, Amanda Saunders, Caitlin Johnson, Stephanie Huffmaster, Lauren Huffmaster, and Nicole Huffmaster; great-grandchildren, Elise Huffmaster, and Adelyn Huffmaster; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Thelma Huffmaster; brother, Roger Huffmaster; sister-in-law, Eula Jeannette (Nettie); sister-in-law, Ann Huffmaster; and brother-in-law, William Hartmann.
A Masonic Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City followed by a visitation until 1:00 pm Saturday. Bill's funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Trevor Dancer officiating.
A webcast of Bill's services will be available for friends that are not able to attend by going to the photos and videos tab on this memorial page and clicking the webcasting link.
Graveside services and interment with full military honors will be held at 2:45 p.m., Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Riverview Cemetery in Tebbetts, followed by a repast meal in the Tebbetts Community Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, at http://www.alz.org.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.