Colonel William Hardwood Huffcut Jr. USMC Retired

Colonel William Harwood Huffcut Jr. went to be with the Lord on January 25, 2023. He was 87. Born in Peekskill, NY, Colonel Huffcut attended high school in both New York and Europe and subsequently earned a BA Degree in History and English from The Virginia Military Institute and an MS degree in Political Science from Auburn University. During his 31-year career in the United States Marine Corp, Colonel Huffcut served both as an infantry officer and a Naval Aviator, flying both fixed wing and jet fighter and attack aircraft and combat helicopters. His operational assignments included tours of duty in the United States, Japan, The Panama Canal Zone, Central and South America, and three combat tours: one in the Dominican Republic and two in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Huffcut's personal military decorations include: the Navy Cross, the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star with a Combat “V,” two Meritorious Service Medals, one Single Mission Air Medal, fifty Air Medals awarded for flying over 1,000 combat missions, three Purple Hearts awarded for related combat wounds, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Colonel Huffcut retired from active service with the United States Marine Corps in 1989 after completing 31 years of active duty. During the period 1989 to 1994, Colonel Huffcut was in private business in Pensacola, Florida. In November 1994, Colonel Huffcut was selected by the Florida Comptroller-elect General Robert F. Milligan, to head his new administration's transition team. In January 1995, Colonel Huffcut was appointed Assistant Comptroller of the State of Florida and subsequently served in that position until his retirement from State Government in 2003. In 2004, Colonel Huffcut co-founded the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Tallahassee, Chapter 758. Colonel Huffcut served as a deacon at Bradfordville First Baptist Church, chairman of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council, and a member of the Governor's Judicial Review Board. Colonel Huffcut was selected to be a member of the Golden Eagles, an association of pioneering naval aviators and astronauts who advanced the methods and practices of the profession during their career. Colonel Huffcut was honored as a patriot by the Society of the Cincinnati, the nation’s oldest patriotic organization, founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army who served together in the American Revolution. A faithful husband, dedicated father and steadfast patriot, Colonel Huffcut is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Stewart, formerly of Troy, Alabama, his three daughters, Evelyn (Mrs. Leslie Harrison) of Wacissa, Florida, Natalie (Mrs. Kevin Stanley) of Nashville, Tennessee, and Marilyn (Mrs. Thomas Bopp) of Auburn, Alabama, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Bradfordville First Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at eleven o'clock in the morning led by Pastor Ronny Raines. Colonel Huffcut will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Alexandra, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests honoring Colonel Huffcut with donations to Big Bend Hospice Inc., Dozier House or the Toys For Tots Foundation. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193).

Tributes

Colonel William Hardwood Huffcut Jr. USMC Retired

May 11, 1935 - January 25, 2023