Life is a Journey, Enjoy the Trip.  And he did.  But it ended too soon on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse.

Hugh was born October 22, 1934 in Omaha NE to Dr. Hugh H. Williams and Helen DeVore Williams.  The family moved to Sparta when Hugh was a year old.  A Sparta High School graduate, Hugh enlisted in the Navy and served for 22 years on the USS Gilbert Islands and USS Wright.  He was also in Iceland, Yokosuka Japan, Pensacola, Oahu, San Miguel Phillipines, and Chicago.  From 1974 to 1989 he was Northwest Telecommunications Director of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.  He then worked in Fort McCoy’s Public Affairs Office until his retirement in 1992.

Hugh married Mary Williams of Sparta in 1957.  They later divorced.  Their sons are Robert Hugh (wife Pam VonHaden) of LaCrosse and Allen Jay (wife Jennifer Rahberger) of Waterford.  Grandchildren are Chrissy and Ryan Hugh of LaCrosse and Ian Hugh and Emily of Waterford. 

In 1992 he married Chris Britten, his forever best friend, in Sevier County, TN.   His stepsons are Dan (Carleen) O’Connell of Rudolph, and David (Cyndi) O’Connell of Sun Prairie.  Stepgrandchildren are Shawn O’Connell and Jessica and Tanna Strub, and Alexis and Ashley O’Connell.

He is further survived by his sister, Susan DeVore Williams (Rev. Canon Kenneth) Richards of Clovis CA; and six sisters-in-law and their families:  Bonnie Melvin, Abbotsford; Mary Britten, Hudson; Diane Johnson, Ripon; Donna Fahs, Eden Prairie; Ellen Karow, Marshfield and Linda Smith, Mosinee.

Hugh was active in his communities as cub scout master and  little league coach.  He served as Tomah Rotary and Hiawatha Golf Club president and was co-chair of Tomah’s 100 year founding Jubilee.  Hugh was past Chair of the Monroe County Republican Party, a member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Asso. and the Wisconsin Newspaper Asso.  He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, VFW and Viet Nam Veterans of America.

Among many activities, he enjoyed USS Wright reunions with shipmates, poker with the Tomah Gourmet Poker Club, golf with his Sparta & Tomah foursomes, and cruises with the Ragtop Ramblers.

Hugh loved to golf.  He had a hole-in-one in 1988, won the 1983 Sparta Open and golfed in Scotland.   Hugh was very proud of the 2 handicap he carried for several years. 

Together Hugh and Chris traveled the entire US and most of Canada and Mexico, Europe, even a trip to Hong Kong.  Yet Park Place on Idaho Road in Sparta was his favorite place.

There will be no visitation or service, instead do something fun with Hugh in mind, because Today Is a Gift.  And remember his laugh, you always knew if the party man was around.  St. Peter, be on the lookout for a guy sliding in saying, “Holy S***! What a Ride!”