Willie "Don" Hucks Obituary

          FLORENCE – Willie Isdon “Don” Hucks, 91, died Saturday, November 25, 2023, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. 

          Funeral services will be 12:00 noon, Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Greenwood Baptist Church with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.

          He was born in Brittons Neck, SC, son of the late Joseph Wilbert and Effie Cribb Hucks. He graduated from Brittons Neck High School where he played basketball. He proudly served in the United States Air Force, stationed in the Philippines then Myrtle Beach, SC, followed by several years in the Air Force Reserves. He used the skills he learned in the Air Force to serve South Carolina as a radio technician for the State Highway Department for 28 years. 

          He was a faithful member of Greenwood Baptist Church, where he taught men’s Sunday School class for more than 40 years. In addition    to his strong faith, Don was known for his warm smile and big hugs. 

          Mr. Hucks grew up on a farm where he learned to appreciate nature leading to a lifelong love of hunting, fishing and being outside. His early life taught him to be resourceful; he was able to build entire houses, as well as repair cars and appliances. He was happy to share his ability to fix anything with countless others in the community for many decades. He was also a well-loved baseball coach at Greenwood Baseball Park.

          Don was predeceased by his wife, Mary Joyce Richardson Hucks; and his six siblings, Cleo Hucks (Letha), Hudson Hucks (Barbara), Lynn Hucks (Sue Belle), Mary Doris Skipper (Frank), George Hucks, and Faye White (Jerry).

          Surviving are his wife, Loretta J. Hucks, of the home; three sons, Richard A. Hucks (Jan) and Ivan Hucks (Paige), both of Florence, and Hal Hucks (Jennifer) of Columbia; a sister-in-law, Estelene Gibson Hucks, of Florence; eight grandchildren, Meredith Hucks Hodge (Andrew) of Ontario, Calif., Madison Hucks Love (Steven), Aaron Hucks, Morgan Hucks and Logan Hucks, all of Florence, Landon Hucks, Gavin Hucks, and Holden Hucks, all of Columbia; three step-children, Melissa Lantrip (Gary) of Norfolk, VA, Todd McNeil (Margie) of Lenoir, NC, and Susan Hayes (Joe) of Florence; six step-grandchildren, Jonathan Lantrip (Amanda), David McNeil, Candace Mianulli (Domenic), Tyler Hayes (Emma), Hallie Howe (Rob), and Sophia Hayes; seven step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

          Memorials may be made to Greenwood Baptist Church, 2401 Claussen Rd., Florence, SC  29505; or to the Child Evangelism Fellowship, in care of Greenwood Baptist Church.