Wallace James Huggins Jr.

Wallace James “Wally” Huggins, age 72 of Paris, passed away at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville on February 23, 2025.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Wallace Sr. and Joyce Huggins. Wally was born in Atlanta, GA in 1952.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Katrina “Katie” Huggins of Paris; two sons, Wesley (Katie Turano) Huggins of Charleston, SC, and Barrett (Caitlin Purvis) Huggins of Gainesville FL; special sister-in-law, Jennifer Hessong of Paris; brother- in-law, Keith (Carole May) Hessong of Hagerstown, MD; and one niece, Andrea (Craig) Lazar of Germantown, MD. He loved animals and leaves behind canine friends Blue, Buck, Yoda, Jeanine and Polly.

Wally grew up in Georgia and graduated from Georgia State, later-earning his Master's Degree at Webster University. He went on to fly fighter jets in the US Marine Corps serving at various locations around the US. He later flew with ATAC flying aggressor jets to assist in training US military squadrons. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel. He continued his flying career at FedEx for 30 years, and contributed to his pilot community by working on various aviation safety positions and by serving as Vice President of his pilots' union. He retired in 2015. In 2016, he and Katie chose Paris as home. He loved his country, family and friends with passion.

He led a full life with many interests-motor cycle riding and racing, exotic cars, hang gliding, scuba diving, water skiing, snow-skiing, and pushing his body to the max exercising. He had a family of work out friends and trainers wherever he lived. Paris was no exception.

In the last dozen years his love was hunting, both locally as well as annual trips to Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and New Mexico. His family and friends often joined him there.

His family appreciates the care by his local doctors and friends, James Hudson and Kyle Stephens. Other special thanks to emergency personnel and the staff at the Henry County Emergency Room and the staff at St. Thomas West in Nashville.

Visitation will be held at Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, 38242, on March 1, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m.

Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown, MD.

Memorials can be made to ABLE Farms, 5566 Elkhorn Nobles Road, Springville, TN, 38256 or Paris- Henry County Animal Shelter, 445 Recycling Drive, Paris, TN, 38242.