John "Bill" Hughes

John “Bill” Hughes, 61, of Lynchburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, April 11, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, hard work, and deep devotion to his family and the land he cherished.

Bill was born on November 10, 1964, and grew up in New Vienna, Ohio. He carried the values of his upbringing with him throughout his life, dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John William Hughes Sr. and Mary Jo Hughes of New Vienna.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shelley Hughes; his sister, Marta (Bora) Tashan; and his brother, Kirby (Dina) Tolliver. Bill was a proud and devoted father to Alicia (Travis) Miller, LeAnn (Kent) Hackney, Brad (Elizabeth) Hughes, Ashley (Adam) Behm, Christopher (Marissa) Hughes, and Andrea (Christian Franer) Purcell. He also lovingly embraced Kristin Doll, Todd Gregory, and Willy Murphy as children by choice.

He was a deeply loved grandfather to Peyton Garen, Brody Hackney, Leila Hughes, Parker Miller, Cooper Thompson, Tegan Miller, Aiden Hughes, and Bryn Hughes, all of whom brought him immense joy. He is also survived by his nephew, Aris Tashan.

Bill dedicated over 20 years of his career to Airborne Express. While he was known for his strong work ethic, his true passion was farming. To Bill, farming was never just a job, it was a way of life. It was where he found peace, purpose, and pride, and it reflected the kind of man he was: steady, hardworking, and deeply rooted in what mattered most.

There was rarely a quiet moment when Bill was around, he loved sharing stories, swapping memories, and keeping those around him laughing and engaged.

Bill often shared that he believed his life was perfect, not because it was without challenges, but because it was filled with the people and purpose he loved most.

He will be remembered for his quiet strength, his enduring love for his family, and the simple, meaningful life he built and shared with those around him.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio.  A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family.

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