William E. "Billy" Huckstep, 66, of Jackson passed away Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Heartland Care and Rehab Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 22, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, son of William C. and Jannie M. Pulliam Huckstep. He and Sue Whaley were married Oct. 19, 1968, in Sedgewickville, Mo.

Billy was a 1962 graduate of Jackson High School. He worked at the former Jackson Handle Factory and the former Superior Electric in Cape Girardeau before working 40 years at Ceramo in Jackson, retiring in 2008. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Jackson, a member of Jackson Elks Lodge and Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

He served in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 9, 1963, until being honorably discharged Jan. 5, 1967.

Loving survivors include his wife of 41 years; a daughter, Tracie Huckstep, both of Jackson; and a brother, Jerry (Jacquie) Huckstep of Scott City.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Grant Gillard officiating. Interment will be in Whitewater Cemetery near Sedgewickville, with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Whitewater Cemetery Fund.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.