William Lewis Huffman Jr.

William Lewis Huffman, Jr., 82 of Connersville, died early Tuesday morning, September 8, 2015, at Reid Hospital, Richmond. Bill was born January 4, 1933, at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, to William Lewis, Sr. and Mabel Verna Renschler Huffman. He attended Milton High School and was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in 1951. Bill proudly served as an aircraft mechanic in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the large B36 bomber until his discharge in 1955. Bill was an ardent Democrat and enjoyed being with his family. He had worked as a truck driver for many years at Transport Motor Express in Ft. Wayne. He was a member of the AMVETS and a lifetime member of the American Legion and 40 et 8, Voiture 1040. Bill liked to take country rides on his motorcycle and travel out West. Bill is survived by his children and their spouses: Lori Ann Gay and Steven of Connersville; Gregory Scott Huffman and Jennifer, Jennifer Sue Huffman, all of Ft. Wayne; his brother: Michael E. Huffman and his partner, Steven Reyes of Indianapolis; nine grandchildren and their spouses: Michael Gay and Lisa, Dustin Gay and Jenny, Sarah Strong and Jeanette, all of Connersville; Mark Gay and Cris of Everton, Nicholas Gay and Sarah of Indianapolis; William, Ellen, Veronica and Thomas Huffman, all of Ft. Wayne; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; his former wife: Mary Ellen Huffman of Ft. Wayne; and his good friend: Barbara Eshelman of Connersville. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, L. Max Huffman. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville with Dr. James Gay and Pastor Dustin Gay officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot at Valley Grove Cemetery in southern Wayne County with military honors by the Fayette County Veterans Council. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of service where memorial contributions may be made to Fayette County Veterans Council Memorial Flag Fund.