William C. Huffman, of Virginia, Illinois, died on April 16 at Heritage Manor South in Beardstown. He was 78. Born on May 14, 1926, in Cass County, he married Catherine Braner on September 14, 1946, in Jacksonville. He was a graduate of Arenzville High School and served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. During the war he served as organist for chapel services aboard the USS Bosque in the Pacific. He began playing the organ as a small child on an old reed pump organ at a small country church. He served as a church organist for over 70 years, most recently at Virginia United Methodist Church. He farmed in Cass County for 60 years. A past president and 20-year member of the Virginia School Board, he served on the committee which founded Lincoln Land Community College and was a former member of the Cass County Zoning Board. Funeral services were held on April 19 at Virginia United Methodist Church. Rudolf Zuiderveld of Illinois College served as organist for the service. Mr. Huffman is survived by his wife Catherine, a son, two daughters, and six grandchildren.
