William R. Hughes Jr.

1933 - 2023

William Reed Hughes Jr., 89, of Greensburg, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2023. He was born Dec. 18, 1933, in Tarentum, a son of the late William Sr. and Margaret (Martin) Hughes. Bill was a 1951 graduate of Har-Brack High School and a 1956 graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960. Bill served as a captain and as an instructor navigator with International Status. He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Bill was an avid fisherman who also enjoyed hunting and woodworking. He also loved the arts, enjoying art, music and theater. Prior to retiring, Bill worked as a registered architect and professional engineer. He was a partner in the architectural firm: RWL Architects and Planners, Greensburg, where he worked primarily on schools and hospitals. Bill was a former amateur archaeologist at Hannastown, where he designed the present Fort according to specifications discovered in their archaeological investigation. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Christopher Hughes. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Ruth (King) Hughes; his children, Cynthia Jo (Donald) O'Hora, of Shamokin Dam, Pa., William H. (Kelly) Hughes, of State College, Pa., Michael (Kim) Farr, of Charlotte, N.C., and Amy E. (Timothy) Waite, of Charlotte, N.C.; stepchildren, Lee A. (Carmen) Shurie, of Sherman Oaks, Calif., Dr. Lynn Remington (Dr. Lawrence Wei), of Sewickley, Beth Chew (Jeff West), of Latrobe, and Todd Shurie, of Greensburg; grandchildren, James O'Hora, Jennifer (Brent) Prevratil, Isabella Farr, Hunter Waite, Olivia Waite and William Waite; step-grandchildren, Jason (Autumn) Byrd, Ryan Shurie, Dr. Cara Kennedy (Dr. Daniel Burgin), Kirstie Shurie, Mia Krohn, Shane Krohn and Ashley Haberman; great-grandchildren, Lilly Prevratil, James X. Prevratil and Emma Byrd; brother, James F. (Jean) Hughes, of Oakmont; and sister, Jane Ann (Charles) Byrnes, of Mt. Lebanon. Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2023, in First United Methodist Church, 15 E. Second St., Greensburg, PA 15601. Interment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at a later date. KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME is entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one's favorite charity. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.