JACKSON — Hughey Shannon “Brother” Williford Jr., age 77, died in Jackson on Saturday, May 9, 2009, following an extended illness.

Today, May 11, visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland. Visitation on Tuesday, May 12, will be at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, from 10 until 11 a.m. The funeral service will be at the church at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland.

Mr. Williford was born and reared in Jackson, the son of the late H.S. “Coot” Williford and Winifred Hines “Sister Baby” Williford. Educated at Central High School, Ole Miss and the University of Alabama; he served his country in the U.S. Air Force and Mississippi Air National Guard, retiring as commander of the 183rd Military Airlift Squadron with the rank of colonel, in 1978.    

Mr. Williford’s love of aviation began with washing airplanes to pay for flying lessons at age 14. By the youngest possible age of 16, he had earned a solo pilot’s license, with a private license by 18. He later logged thousands of hours piloting Air Force transports; including the C-47, the C-121, the C-124 and the C-130E. He became a qualified pilot instructor and taught as a civilian and in the military.

Mr. Williford lived most of his life in Jackson and Vicksburg, working from 1972 until 1996 for Vicksburg Terminal Company Inc. and retiring as president. Earlier in life, he worked in the field of engineering equipment while residing in Atlanta, Birmingham and Jackson.  

As deacon, elder and choir member with both Westminster Presbyterian Church in Vicksburg and First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mr. Williford was a lifelong Presbyterian. He also served as a volunteer with Reformed Theological Seminary and Chamberlain Hunt Academy.

Mr. Williford was a longtime member of the Wrinkled Roosters Club.  

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Joyce White Williford; sons, Shannon Williford and wife Anne of Nashville, Tenn., Walter Williford and wife Diane of Lakeland, Fla., and Kevin Williford and wife Susan of Brandon; daughter, Elisabeth Williford Ross and husband Greg of Jackson; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Brucie” Williford of Madison; and also “extra sons,” Ronny Lindstrom of New York City and Marcelo Eduardo of Jackson. Mr. Williford had 10 grandchildren: McNeill, Linden, George, Wren, Emma, Julia Bee, Sam, Gillian, Jennings and Hugh. He is also survived by brothers, Ed Williford and Billy Brown Williford.   

Memorials may be made to French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745 or to a ministry of one’s choice.