William Earnest Hughes

William (Bill) Earnest Hughes III, 48, passed away on September 23, 2025.

Bill grew up in Old Hickory, Tennessee and attended Donelson Christian Academy from elementary school through high school. He graduated from Tennessee Tech with a Bachelors in Engineering and earned a Masters in Engineering from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Bill was a beloved husband and father of two beautiful girls. He was an accomplished engineer whose career led him to both Japan and Germany before returning home to Tennessee. Bill was an avid collector who enjoyed building and fixing, particularly LEGOs, vintage video games, cars, radios and toys for his girls. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors snowboarding, wakeboarding and boating.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife, Kristin (Tippens) Hughes, daughters Sophia (5) and Olivia (2) Hughes. Mother Ruth Hughes, father William (Buddy) Earnest Hughes Jr, stepmother Marylin Hughes, sisters Cassandra Swan and Camilla Davis, nephew Brandon Davis, father and mother-in-law Jimmy and Katy Tippens, sister and brother-in-law Jamie & Colonel (USAF) Steven Slagle and nephew William Slagle. Bill will also be missed by numerous friends and colleagues.

To celebrate Bill, Kristin and his family would appreciate you sharing your best memories of him here and completing your favorite LEGO set in his honor.