Stanley Mcdowell Hughes

Hamilton - Stanley "Mac" Hughes was born Christmas Day, 1916, and died on September 7, 2009 rejoining the love of his life, Millie, who died eight months earlier.

Mac grew up in the Bitterroot Valley and graduated from Hamilton High School, where he was a four-sport letterman in football, basketball, track and tennis. While in high school he met Millie Oliva, and they were married in 1941. At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Army Air Corps and served honorably as a B-26 pilot, completing 70 missions in the European theater and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and the Air Medal, with 14 oak leaf clusters.

After the war, Mac returned to Hamilton and, with his father-in-law, opened the Hamilton Bowl, which they operated for nearly 30 years. He was also employed for many years as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, making sure each Christmas that all packages were delivered on Christmas morning before he returned home to celebrate his birthday and the holiday with his family.

Mac was an avid sportsman, and thoroughly enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family, and he excelled at bowling (of course) and golf (which he was still playing at age 91). He loved spending time with his family, and will be long remembered for hosting the best fireworks show in town every July 4th.

Mac is survived by two sons, Jim (Becki) of Portland, and Stan (Cheryl) of Missoula. His is also survived by eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Aspen Hospice of Stevensville.

Mac's care and love for those around him was incredible. His limitless love and dedication for Millie was amazingly deep and pure. Together they conquered the world with their love.