William Hugh Haynes

William Hugh Haynes — known to everyone simply as Hugh — was a creative person with a nurturing spirit. Hugh was born in Virginia on January 6, 1952 to Patti Holcomb and William Haynes, the oldest of four boys. His father’s work as a project engineer building dams and power plants along the Ohio River meant the family moved often, but it was Cannelton, Indiana that Hugh came to call his favorite home — the place where he put down roots and made friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Hugh graduated at the top of his class from the Herron School of Art with a degree in sculpture. One of his pieces was chosen to stand in front of the dean’s office window. Another sculpture known as the “hand mirror” was a life-sized wooden sculpture that won a blue ribbon at the Indiana State Fair. Hugh was very generous in sharing his artistic abilities. He would create hand drawn cards and sketches depicting loved ones and various events. These became treasured mementoes.

Over the years Hugh worked eighteen different jobs — iron worker, art slide librarian, member of a blasting crew, server in a French restaurant, advertising art director, and software developer among them. When he worked at American States Insurance Company, the employees were mandated to take fifteen-minute breaks. Hugh and fellow programmers initiated a Euchre ritual for their breaks. Hugh delighted in the game and the fun he had with his fellow work associates. When he retired from One America Financial, guests at his retirement party wore Hawaiian shirts in his honor. Hugh didn’t just wear Hawaiian shirts; he made them his official uniform!

Earlier in his work career, Hugh managed to obtain his dream job as a penciller for Marvel Comics, where his artwork brought characters like “The Punisher” to life on the page. But if you asked Hugh which role suited him best, he’d have told you it was retiree. He spent his days walking his daughter’s standard poodle Louis, babysitting his grandson Adrian, and volunteering as a Stephen Minister — quietly showing up for people who needed him, the same nurturing spirit that had defined him all along.

On August 29, 1987, Hugh married Judy Weingartner, and together they built a life around the things they loved most: travel, environmental activism, film, art, faith, and just being together. He was always up for an adventure. Hugh is survived by his wife, Judy; his son, Ian (Kami) Haynes, grandson Mason Haynes; his daughter, Olivia (Michael) Winn, grandson Adrian Winn; and his siblings Michael (Brenda) Haynes, John (Patrick) Haynes, and Jamie Haynes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Patti and William Haynes and his brother, Joseph Haynes. A funeral Mass will be held on August 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist. Visitation will take place one hour before the service. A luncheon will follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Adrian Winn’s 529 college plan, code 363-852.