Wilson Sylvester Huff

Wilson Huff was born on December 25, 1924, to Samuel and Cora Sloan Huff, and died on the 21 day of January, 2016 at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 91 years, 0 months and 27 days. Wilson was born at the Huff farm south of Pritchett, Colorado, on Christmas Day 1924, and the same house was his home until his death. He attended school at Pritchett Most of his college training was at the University of Houston, where he received 3 degrees, a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Education, and a Master’s Degree in Psychology. After college Wilson farmed with his father and mother, Sam and Cora Huff. During the winters he taught for four years at the Pritchett and Springfield High Schools, coached, and was the Assistant Principal while he continued teaching, 1958-1960. In 1962, Wilson built the Princess Bowling Lanes in Springfield, Colorado. Also in that year he married Zona McCracken. Together they ran the bowling lanes for 11 years. At that time Zona got a divorce and moved to Colorado Springs. Wilson continued to run the lanes for 5 more years, for a total of 16 years in the business. At that time he sold the business to Sherrill West, who continued the business for many years. The bowling business was very successful and Wilson enjoyed it and his customers so much over the years. He always felt that people who were honest, dependable, and not alcoholics, had the fundamentals of life, and that any other characteristics of the person could be worked around by Wilson. His bowling customers had these virtues plus two more. They enjoyed a good time and were fun-loving people. Those that did not fit this atmosphere were soon gone. To complement the bowling business, Wilson had a drive-in restaurant. So many children, students, and adults enjoyed the burgers at Princess Lanes. It was a favorite eating spot at noon for people who worked. After school, students came by the drive-up window for refreshments while they would drag Main Street. It was not out of the ordinary for people to drive by the window for a chocolate shake in a snowstorm. While in the bowling business, Wilson bought a half interest in the John Deere business at Springfield. It takes a special type of man to run a business. He and his wonderful partner, C. D. Alexander, were never able to find these kinds of employees. Consequently, the business was never very successful. Wilson never regretted this business venture. It was what he wanted, and he felt that if he had not gotten it, something would have been left out of his life. He left the business after five years or so. After selling his town business, he moved back to the farm and concentrated on growing wheat & milo, and raising cattle. Wilson was helped at the farm by his Mexican employees. Good help is the secret to successful farming. His good friend, Wayne Orebaugh, helped many, many Mexicans find work. Very often Wilson could use another employee. He never had anything but kind words for his employees. They were honest, dependable, responsible, and did the best they could. He never required more than that. Wilson also served on the Springfield Hospital Board, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge #158 in Springfield, CO and the Benevolent Order of the Elks in Lamar, CO. Late in life, one son, Travis Ray Holcomb, was born to Wilson Huff and Julia Holcomb. Because of the social pressures of religion and living in a small community, father and son were unfairly kept apart more than was wise. When Travis was 15, his mother died and he went to live with his half-brother, Gerald McCracken. After a period of time, Gerald requested that Travis make his home with his father, Wilson Huff. This request was accepted. By this quirk of fate, father and son were finally together. Travis finished his high school education and was introduced to farming and the basics of farm life. This included hard work, honesty, reliability and freedom from drugs and alcohol. Travis accepted these characteristics with enthusiasm. Needless to say, Wilson always loved his son and did the best he knew how for him. It is very necessary to also give tribute to Wilson’s father, Sam Huff, who worked hard and long with his wife Cora to own their farm. They wanted it to give an easier life to their children, than they’d had. Their wish came true. Each of their children received their inheritance. Wilson cared for the land and added to it throughout his lifetime. It was hard to believe that the land would support 1,000 head of cattle, which it did at least two times. His wishes were that it would be used equally as well by his son and his posterity. Wilson was preceded in death by his mother, Cora Huff in 1964, his father, Sam Huff in 1971, his sisters Elsie Huff Skidmore, Vera Huff Anderson, and Verna Huff Hawley. Wilson is survived by one son, Travis Ray Huff of Springfield, Colorado, as well as nieces,nephews, cousins and a host of friends. The family suggests memorial contributions be given in Wilson's memory to the Southeast Colorado Hospital District-373 E. 10th Ave. Springfield, CO 81073