William Hughes, 89, of Columbus, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at Tryon Estates.

Born in Ireland, Bill was the son of the late John and Delia Hughes.

Bill graduated from the Summerhill College in Sligo, Ireland, and St. Patrick’s College in Carlow, Ireland. St. Patrick’s College is the oldest Catholic Seminary in Ireland.

He came to the United States in 1959, and received his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 1970 and his MSc from Florida State University in 1974.

He served as a Catholic priest in Ireland and Wichita, Kansas for many years. He then became a rehabilitation counselor for the blind for 20 years in the state of Florida.

He married Jane Cowan in 1976. They retired to North Carolina in 1991, where he was a rehabilitation counselor and North Carolina certified superior court mediator for 19 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Sean Hughes, Noel Hughes and Desmond Hughes. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Jane Hughes; and three nephews, Sean Hughes, Michael Hughes and Timothy Hughes.

He was a member of St. John The Baptist Catholic Church. A private service will be held at a later time.

Memorials may be made to St. John Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, 180 Laurel Ave., Tryon, NC 28782 or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

Online condolences at crowemortuary.com

Crowe’s Mortuary is assisting the Hughes family.