William Riley Hughes
* Born: September 14, 1946
* Died: December 22, 2015
* Location: Bradenton, Florida
________________________________________
Condolence & Memory Journal
Coach Hughes was not only an educator, GREAT coach, He was your friend and my great neighbor on Snead island. If I needed a good laugh I either went to his house or stopped by his desk in the locker room. My family misses you!
- Posted by Randy Hammond - Casselberry, FL - Student April 17, 2016
Butch Hughes was a great colleague and friend. He made me feel welcome at PHS and helped me learn how to be a teacher. My most profound memory of him is rushing into my class to tell me of the space shuttle explosion. I'll always remember that. Prayers to you and your family Ilona.
- Posted by Andrea Polites - Burlingame, CA - January 01, 2016
----------
You were an awesome teacher and coach. You will be missed. May you R.I.P
- Posted by Gwen Johnson - Palmetto, FL - December 29, 2015
----------
Coach Hughes left a legacy that will impact lives for years to come! We were so blessed to have him as a mentor and coach during our high school years. Our prayers are with the family.
- Posted by Jeff & Peggy "Dede Gant" Johnson - Bradenton, FL - December 29, 2015
----------
It was a pleasure to have you as my drivers ed teacher. Always so funny. My condolences to the family. Class of 1982
- Posted by Mary Randall - Parrish, FL - December 29, 2015
----------
Coach Hughes started as my Coach but ended as my Dear Friend!I would say he had the biggest influence on integration than anyone in the City of Palmetto . During turbulent times it was Butch who had the respect and caring for all Kids no matter your ethnicity or wealth and the Courage to fight with the administration for what was Right .Thanks for adopting me at and early age recognizing things in me that I did not realize and pushing me to Lead. You will be sorely missed . Ilona Thanks for sharing him with Manatee County and the World !!
- Posted by Al Washington - Cincinnati, OH - December 29, 2015
----------
"Coach" Hughes was such an great influence to us. He was a GREAT coach, but even a better man. Whether on the court or life, he taught us a lot. I'm so glad that he helped so many of us and we will continue to pass down the principles he taught us.
- Posted by Brian Varnadore - Palmetto - December 29, 2015
----------
Coach Hughes was the best of the best! Greatest coach, educator and mentor to all. To the family: May time heal your sorrow. May friends ease your pain. May peace replace heartaches, & loving memories remain.
- Posted by PHS C/O 87' & 88' Louis & Darlene Goff - Palmetto, FL - December 29, 2015
----------
Butch was a wonderful man and will be missed so much. There's so many of my childhood memories with him and family and they where wonderful times. My thoughts and prayers for the family. The Aldermans.
- Posted by Scott Alderman - Bradenton, FL - December 28, 2015
----------
Butch was the coolest guy to be around. He always made us laugh when fishing or golfing. I know raised a great family and was proud of them. God bless Ilona
- Posted by Jimmy Clements - December 28, 2015
----------
Ilona and Family,
My heart aches for you. May God bless and keep you.
Butch Hughes was one of the finest men I have ever met. He taught me so much just having lunch together for years at PHS. He was the best story teller of all time and he loved to laugh and let others laugh also. He was not a good coach--he was a great coach--what a motivator!! I learned so much about coaching just watching his basketball teams practice.
He was real friend. We will miss him so much.
- Posted by Larry Ritchie - Suwanee, GA - December 28, 2015
----------
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers...Sondra, Drew, Ian and Evan
- Posted by Sondra George - Bradenton, FL - December 28, 2015
Butch raised 2 daughters that he can be very proud of. One of them Kristi is married to my son. I am so proud to be able to call Kristi my daughter. Butch, I will try and fill your shoes. You will be sorely missed.
- Posted by Warren Rench - Mulberry, FL - December 27, 2015
----------
Forever in my memories! Not many people walk into your life and remain. For him to have touched the lives of many generations is a blessing to us all! Memories of happiness will eventually overtake the sadness experienced now. May you all find comfort in knowing he is now happy and healthy with so many others we all have lost.
- Posted by Danielle Bentley-Mong - Palmetto, FL - December 27, 2015
----------
So sad to hear of Coach Hughes passing. It is with fond, fun memories I have of him. He certainly made Drivers Ed a great time! Rest in Peace, Coach.
- Posted by Tami Green-Stovall - Palmetto, FL - December 27, 2015
----------
Coach Hughes had a big impact on this coach, and I'm sure many others in this area. What a vibrate personality and GREAT story teller. You will be missed, God Bless you Butch.
- Posted by Tom McLaughlin - North Port, FL - December 27, 2015
----------
Sorry for your family's loss. We love you guys!
- Posted by Armes' Family - Bradenton, FL - December 27, 2015
----------
Coach Hughes was one of the best teachers at Palmetto High School.
- Posted by Daisy Gant, Friend, School bus driver for 30 years - December 26, 2015
----------
Ilona, our hearts are broken for you and your family. Butch was a great neighbor, friend, and teacher, for our daughter. Heaven is a little brighter, having Butch. God Bless you.
- Posted by George, Darlene, Bri & Chelsea McCormick - Snead island, FL - December 26, 2015
----------
Coach Hughes was a great man. He taught many young adults great life lessons. He will be missed dearly. He was an awesome neighbor, teacher and friend. Prayers for his family.
- Posted by Chelsea Mccormick - Morriston, FL - December 26, 2015
----------
Coach Hughes was a wonderful example of a true man, principled in a way to challenge the young men and women he spent so much time with. He changed many many
lives for the better. We need more men like Butch! Oh how he will be missed!
- Posted by Phill, Dianna, Joel, Jeremy, Jordan Baker - Palmetto, FL - December 26, 2015
----------
So sorry to hear of Butch's passing. He was a great family man and friend. He changed many lives at Palmetto High School in a positive way.
- Posted by Bob Carroll - Parrish, FL - December 26, 2015
----------
Sending our thoughts and prayers to his wife and family. What a great loss. The Haynes Family
- Posted by Coach James Haynes - Bradenton, FL - Friend - December 25, 2015 .
