GREENBRIER COUNTY WVDN) – Where does one begin? Perhaps the beginning is the best place. One hundred years ago. In 1924 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia which is still alive and well today, much like William E. “Bill” Huff.
It’s tough to pinpoint a beginning in such a tremendous timeline because there were many beginnings, and yes, endings. However, 100 years ago, In a small town, a “small baby boy” whose mama was told to “swaddle him surrounded by four Mason jars filled with hot water to keep his little body warm” was born. Bill Huff was born to the delight of ALL who know and love him, all who crossed paths with him and all who fought for this country with him.
Born on April 6, 1924, William E. “Bill” Huff was reared in White Sulphur Springs and Renick, West Virginia. Bill spent most summers in Renick with his much-loved grandparents, learning about cattle, horses, and life in the country. There, he enjoyed many simple pleasures like eating his grandmother’s mincemeat before she could bake it into a pie, teaching his cousin Bob Whiting to ride horses, attempting to ‘dig a hole to China’ with Bill, and damming up the creek that later washed out their road during a torrential rainstorm.
Bill was fortunate to have met the love of his life when he was in the sixth grade. Margaret O’Neil was the younger sister of Bill’s lifelong friends, Leo and Vincent O’Neil. In high school at White Sulphur Springs High School, (now The Schoolhouse Hotel) Bill acquired a lifelong love of football, where he played with Leo and Vincent O’Neil. Immediately after graduation, Bill and Leo enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, as Vincent had previously done in 1942 and earned a Silver Star for his service.
Following his enlistment in 1943, Bill spent basic training at Parris Island, in Beaufort South Carolina, with his [friend] Leo. While in the midst of his training, Bill convinced his cousin Bob Whiting to leave the farm. [To come] experience the wonderful time he was having at Parris Island by describing it as a ‘Country Club!’ After all, the Island was full of beautiful women who loved Marines! After receiving this letter, Bob immediately enlisted. Until his death in 2018, [Whiting] reminded Bill (and everyone in attendance at every family event) of the letter that Bill sent in 1943, which almost got him killed. [Not succeeding, Bob earned a Purple Heart instead].
After basic training, Bill Huff became a Marine Recruit Instructor teaching men how to shoot [properly] before they were deployed and assigned to gunnery positions. Not satisfied with limiting his service stateside, he asked to be sent overseas [becoming] a Tail Gunner on a PBM torpedo bomber and flying [countless] missions over the Pacific.
When the war ended, he was assigned for approximately six months to the Occupation Force that invaded Japan. As he flew low over both Nagasaki and Hiroshima he witnessed the devastation of both being destroyed by atomic bombs. He received only one citation for flying 30 missions in 30 days. After returning to the United States, he was honorably discharged from the Second Air Wing, having served with the 131 Squadron, and having attained the rank of Sergeant.
Following his discharge from the Marines in March 1946, he enrolled at West Virginia University and later transferred to West Virginia Tech [at which point] he obtained his degree in Industrial Arts; with the help of the GI Bill.
During his life after WWII, he finally married his true love, Margaret O’Neil. They raised four children all the while, stressing faith, family, and country. Huff taught school, served as a member of the local school board, built homes for many people, raised cattle, and [joined] the 1960 Greenbrier County ballot, along with John F. Kennedy’s [race for the Presidency.]
Second to his service in the Marines, Mr. Huff is most proud of providing college education for his children and serving as the Associate Superintendent for Greenbrier County Schools. [At the time, there were many smaller schools housing students aging out to high school. Huff oversaw the building of the current High Schools, providing better educational opportunities for the students of Greenbrier County.
At 100 years old, he is still active politically, by sharing his views openly, and by supporting local and national candidates for election. His views are well known by the signs in his yard.
Helping others in need is something that he has done his entire life. He still mows the yards of several of his neighbors while driving his new John Deer tractor. At 100 years old, Bill’s legacy of service, kindness, and generosity continues to inspire. Whether mowing his neighbors’ lawns or offering a helping hand, his words—”Let me know if you need anything and I’ll be right there”—epitomize a life well-lived and is the sentence that defines his unbelievable life.”
Thank you to Huff’s granddaughter, Gretchen Huff for this compelling memoir and for inviting me to take part in such a cherished event. Huff is a treasure in that he falls in a class of less than one percent of WWII veterans who are still with us. Hailed as the Greatest Generation, Sergeant Huff is a venerated and priceless piece of living history. He is hailed as the “Greatest Storyteller to ever live” by his family and friends and it is boasted that each story gets better every time it’s told. His infectious kindness spilled over to neighbors who have now grown under his tutelage into family, regaling the group with tales of learning to butcher cattle and farming. Tears could not be withheld as his clan cherished the memories and teachings. One could not be unaffected by listening to and witnessing such great love and admiration for a man.
Born small, perhaps, but lives bigger than most ever dream.
Hosted at The Schoolhouse Hotel by his daughters, and many grand and great-grandchildren, the birthday party was much more than a celebration. As family members rose to speak heartfelt accolades, well wishes, sincere gratitude, tearful memories, affable indebtedness and genuine appreciativeness, Huff was surrounded by over 100 family members and friends. The Greenbrier East JROTC Color Guard and their Instructor Mr. Lyons and his wife were also present to honor Mr. Huff. It was a proud moment for the students and guests as well.
A string of grand and great-grandchildren lined the stage in honor of this great man, while one of the youngest greats played Happy Birthday on the violin for him. Huff was also presented and surprised with a memorial plaque, written to him by Our Commander In Chief, thanking and honoring him for his service to The United States of America. His smile lit up the room!
“As we celebrate Bill’s centennial milestone, let us honor his extraordinary journey and extend our heartfelt congratulations.”
As the old adage says “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.”
