'His living will not be in vain': William Hughes, former SCSO deputy, dies at 90

Dima Amro, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
William Hughes, second from right, in Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputy uniform on March 1961. Hughes, 90, died May 15, 2022.
William Hughes, second from right, in Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputy uniform on March 1961. Hughes, 90, died May 15, 2022.

William Hughes, one of four of the first Black Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies, has died.

Hughes died Sunday after suffering multiple strokes. He was 90.

"If he could help somebody along the way then his living will not be in vain," said Elizabeth Merriwether, Hughes' granddaughter. "That's how he lived his life."

Merriwether said her grandfather dedicated his life to helping people in and out of uniform, and it prominently showed after his death.

Merriwether, 49, said she remembers her grandfather looking out for everyone he crossed paths with. She met a man recently over 60-years-old who was caught by Hughes "doing things they shouldn't be doing," when he was a child, and has stayed touched by his efforts.

"They could tell that he had their best interest at heart and he's remained connected to my grandfather all of these years," she said. "He would often take youth to the jail for tours... to keep them out of trouble, he would go to churches and talk to the youth. He was a person that just loved to serve and he was always serving the community."

She said that was only one instance of dozens this week that proved how many lives her grandfather helped.

Hughes was appointed sheriff's deputy in 1960 and climbed through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant, captain and jail inspector.

The Memphis and Shelby County Bar Association honored Hughes in 1977 with the "Most Outstanding Deputy Sheriff” recognition.

William Hughes, left, in his sheriff's deputy uniform with his wife Elizabeth Hughes. He died May 15, 2022 at 90 years old.
William Hughes, left, in his sheriff's deputy uniform with his wife Elizabeth Hughes. He died May 15, 2022 at 90 years old.

Merriwether said he took pride in his deputy position and will lie in state in his deputy uniform.

"He was a dedicated law enforcement and corrections leader and he will truly be missed,” said Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr.

Hughes eventually moved on to serve in multiple positions including assistant chief of Internal Affairs Bureau for the sheriff's office, director of both the Shelby County Fire Department and Department of Corrections, superintendent of the Shelby County Penal Farm and court security officer for the United States Marshal Service.

He was also the first Black assistant chief in law enforcement in Tennessee.

Hughes graduated as the second Black graduate from Tennessee of the F.B.I. National Academy.

Merriwether said although he collected multiple accolades, none of it could happen without the strength and help from his wife of 73 years, Elizabeth Hughes.

"Talk about a strong man, he's backed by a strong woman," Merriwether said.

Visitation for Hughes will be Friday from 4- 6 p.m. at Anointed Temple of Praise, 3939 Riverdale Road, and his funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the same church.

He will be buried at Memorial Park Southwoods, 5485 Hacks Cross Road.

"We will definitely miss him," Merriwether said.

Dima Amro covers the suburbs for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at Dima.Amro@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @AmroDima.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: William Hughes dies, 90: Former Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputy