Willard J. "Huffy" Huff

Willard J. “Huffy” Huff, age 90, of District Rd., Delaware Twp., Greenville, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2026.

He was born on March 29, 1936, the only child of Sadie Huff.

On May 14, 1966, he married Elsie (Pears) Burns, and she survives. They marked 60 years of marriage this past spring.

He is also survived by three children: Sonja Graham, Bob (Lisa) Burns, and Diana Wood. His family continued to grow with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He also reached out to many of the neighborhood kids and became Papa to them also.

Huffy was a hardworking person. Even as a young boy, he worked on a potato farm. Sharon Steel was where he worked most of his adult life and retired from. He was a millwright and also had a side gig of selling coffee to the coworkers. He was a coffee connoisseur. His favorite brew requirements were hot and black. Rarely was his hand cup free, even when he was at the Greenville Senior Center.

He mastered the technology of the VCR and recorded most of the NASCAR races when Dale Earnhardt was driving. He collected Earnhardt memorabilia and traveled to race tracks as a supportive fan. He did ride on a car around the track at Daytona. He was a fan for the Steelers and Pirates, watching games on TV from his Lazy Boy.

His passion was hunting and fishing. He was successful with both gun and bow, having proof with many mounts on the wall and stories about the deer that he couldn’t get a shot at. When the dementia started to impair his judgment and concerns of him getting lost, a new plan was devised. The deer stand developed into a safe and warm house that Huffy referred to as a “hacienda” complete with a comfortable chair, heater, and grandsons Michael and Mat Montgomery would keep him warm, safe, full of hot coffee, and good cigars. Bob and the boys kept him in the woods at Jackson Center where his heart and soul wanted to be. He was well loved by them.

Huffy was as excited about stocking trout as he was fishing for them weeks later. His Uncle Shurd was right beside him on those adventures.

Papa enjoyed a good cigar. As his dementia progressed, he never even questioned about the “cigar fairies” who would secretly and lovingly replenish his hidden stash when it would become low. Again, the grandsons devised a plan.

His car, garden tractor, snow blower, and shoes were always polished and waxed after each use. His yard and garden were neat, tidy, and dandelion free.

He was a gem at assisting with cutting wood, but a pro at stacking wood, getting each piece in place without wasting space, and yet it was attractive enough to be artwork.

His favorite music was country. Loyal fan to Buck Owens and Conway Twitty. He collected hats and would give a big smile, chuckle, and roll his eyes when he showed off his hat from Dollywood. He also found a hat from a restaurant in Dixon, IL named “Huffy’s.”

We his family will be forever grateful to the neighbors in Oniontown who helped to keep a watchful eye on him as his confusion progressed. You were his extended family.

Thank you to Fredonia Fire Department in assisting with care and concern when he fell. Thank you to Rev. Eric Peters for prayers and the encouragement of God’s grace and promises through this journey. Thank you to UPMC Horizon, Farrell Campus - excellent care for patient and family. Thank you to Hospice for your compassion in making his final days comfortable.

Will was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Sadie and Omizar Williams; granddaughter Mary Burns; and great-grandson Caleb Montgomery. He sadly missed all of his Sharon Steel buddies who have passed. May their coffee cups never be empty.

Services:

Per Huffy’s wishes, Cremation was chosen, and no services will be held. Those wishing to honor Huffy’s memory are encouraged to take a walk in the woods to remember him.

Online visitors are welcome to sign the guest book at www.loutzenhiserfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 366-368 S. Main St. Greenville.