Philip Hughes

Philip Randolph "Phil" Hughes passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at the age of 70. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Randolph Hughes and Una Hamilton Hughes.
Phil was born in Horry County, S.C., on March 11, 1942. He was a simple man from humble beginnings; however, he was destined to dine with four sitting U.S. Presidents: Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and George W. Bush.
After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1963, Phil moved to Anderson, S.C., where he met and married his beloved wife, Phoebe Walters Hughes, on April 16, 1967.
After spending time in Anderson in the banking industry, Phil moved to Athens, where he became President and CEO of Phil Hughes Automotive Group, which includes Phil Hughes Honda and Athens BMW. He was a member and served as chairman of the National Honda Dealer Advisory Board, chairman of the North Georgia Advertising Board for American Honda, member of the BMW Arbitration Committee, and received numerous awards for his contributions to the automotive industry.
Phil also served on the board of the Athens Bank of America, St. Mary's Hospital Finance Board, and the Building Committee for St. Mary's. Phil was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
As a successful businessman, Phil remained humble and had a heart of gold. He was a loving, caring, loyal husband, father, brother, uncle, employer, mentor, and FRIEND to many. His absence will impact the lives of many who will never forget him and his kindness and love.
Phil was an avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast and could always be seen at the University of Georgia, cheering for his Bulldogs.
Surviving are his precious wife, Phoebe Walters Hughes; daughter, Apryl Denise Hughes Stanfill, the light and joy of his life, and her husband, Stan; daughter, Thananya Hughes; and grandson, Cole Stanfill, all of Athens; sister, Linda Hughes Pittman, and her husband, Larry, of Lula; brother, Ashley Dale Hughes, and his wife, Helen, of Kathleen; nieces and nephews, Michelle Mitchell, Shane Pittman, Sara Hughes, and Matt Hughes; and great-nieces and -nephews, who all will be forever missing him.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 5, at the First United Methodist Church of Athens, with the Rev. Chuck Hodges officiating. A private burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Mary's Hospice House, c/o St. Mary's Foundation, 1230 Baxter St., Athens, GA 30606.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home West, Bogart, is in charge of the arrangements.
www.lordandstephens.com