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William D. "Bill" Huff, Jr., 81, passed away in the early morning of Monday, April 21, 2008, of complications from esophageal cancer. Bill was born June 17, 1926, the son of William D. Huff, Sr. and Mary Clarissa Wells Huff, in Springfield, Missouri. He was the second of four children. Bill, his parents, and siblings all moved to Wellslake, the family home east of Springfield, in 1938. Bill entered the Army Air Corps in February of 1945, and completed basic training just in time for the war to end. He was, nevertheless, sent overseas, where the Army Air Corps had trouble deciding what to do with his unit. He saw areas of Switzerland and Germany before finally being assigned to Tullin Air Base near Vienna, Austria, where he was assigned to the remote Radio Communications/Teletype Receiving Station. After his discharge in December of 1946, he returned to the family home and attended both Park and Drury colleges. He then obtained a job with the forest service, and spent the summer of 1949 near Logan Pass, Idaho. Bill came to Albuquerque in 1951 to obtain a job at Sandia Laboratories. While waiting for clearance, he worked temporarily at the old Woolworth's Department Store on Central. He obtained a position at Sandia in what was called the Standards Lab in 1952, and worked there until 1985, when he took early retirement. Bill purchased land in Corrales in 1953 and began building his home, almost entirely by himself, in his spare time. He began attending First Presbyterian Church in downtown Albuquerque, where he met his future wife, Estelle (originally from Branson, Missouri). They were married June 11, 1955. In addition to building his home, Bill also enjoyed spending time outdoors caring for his property, growing his garden, making woodworking projects, taking vacations with his family, and was an avid amateur photographer. He loved classical music, and spent many hours making his own recordings. He and Estelle were also very active at First Church and Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choirs, and served as a Deacon and an Elder. Bill was a quiet, very kind-hearted man with a great sense of humor, and who enjoyed life. He was very devoted to his family and to Christian values. He was the greatest Dad in the world. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Estelle Huff, of Corrales; daughter, Suzanne Huff-Flora and husband, Curt, of Corrales; sister, Charlotte Louise Lowther of Danville, VA; brothers, Merrifield Wells Huff and wife, Bette, of St. Louis, MO, and Hal Martling Huff of Rolla, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews. Many thanks to Jeannie, Janet, Sandi, and the caring staff at Presbyterian Hospice. A Memorial Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. in Vista Verde Memorial Park with Reverend Tom Hart of the Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church officiating. Military Honors will be presented by the New Mexico Honor Guard. A Memorial Service at Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made in Bill's name to the Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church, 1801 Montano Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 892-9920
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