Obituary of William Bruce Huffaker Jr.

William "Bill" Bruce Huffaker Jr., age 96 of Maris Grove, Glen Mills, PA passed away suddenly on April 29th at Chester County Hospital. Born and raised in Old Hickory, Tennessee and Martinsville, VA, Bill has resided in Maris Grove since 2023. He previously resided and raised a family with his wife Caryl in their countryside home in Kennett Square, PA for 58 years.

Bill attended Davidson College earning a B. S. in Chemistry. After school he fulfilled an ROTC commitment, serving 2 years during the Korean War as 1st Lt., US Army, 101st Airborne Division, Camp Breckenridge, KY, and teaching riflery and combat. Upon discharge, he pursued a 40 year career with DuPont Co., holding a variety of Technical Sales, Marketing, and Leadership roles in their Fibers Division.

Ask anyone who ever met Bill, and you will instantly and consistently hear: "Bill? Such a warm, kind, funny, and generous man! He's always the first to say 'hello!', always has a nice thing to say, and always asks if he can be of help. We love Bill." He laughed easily and found humor everywhere. He had tremendous wit, telling stories with subtlety, a southernly slow pace, and perfectly timed punch lines.

Coming of age during WWII, Bill knew sacrifice, understood courage, and actualized service to others. An Eagle Scout in youth, he returned to scouting years later as a Scoutmaster and council advisor. His leadership and time enabled his sons, their friends, and hundreds of others to experience the same scouting joy he'd had. Bill was also a decades-long member of the Brandywine Lions Club, serving in many leadership roles, and bringing medical support to countless beneficiaries. The annual Christmas Tree trimming the Lions hosted in Chadds Ford Meadow was always a highlight for him.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Caryl Entwistle Huffaker, who passed in 2023. He is also preceded in death by: his parents, William B. and Pauline Watson Huffaker, Sr.; his brother John Huffaker; his brother-in-law Frederick T. Entwistle; and his son-in-law, Doug Clark. Bill is survived by his 3 children: Miles (Linda) Huffaker, Frederick Turner (Michele) Huffaker, and Hillary Huffaker Clark. He is survived by 6 grandchildren: Charlotte (w/fiancee Cameron Matticks), Wyatt, and Asa Huffaker; Quinn and Owen Huffaker; and Ellie Clark. He is survived by nieces Margaret Huffaker and Christiana LoganSmith, and their families.

Bill brought inspiration and good will to all. To the end, he demonstrated what all will remember him for: kindness, courage, optimism, faith, hope, humility, modesty, loyalty, gratitude for life, and a burning will to live, so he could help others, and be with those he loved. Should you ever find yourself enjoying a dry martini, a classic Manhattan, lemon meringue pie, broiled scallops, a scan of the ocean's horizon, a walk to the creek, the honks of Canadian geese, a round of mediocre golf, the bloom of a firework, a day at the ballpark, a warm greeting from a stranger, a challenging puzzle, or the smell of magnolias, you will surely be in his dear company.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 10th from 10-11AM at the Maris Grove Chapel, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA followed by a Memorial Service at 11AM. Refreshments to follow at Maris Grove. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Lions Club International Foundation. Online condolences may be made by visiting. www.paganofuneralhome.com