Coach W.L. Hughes, 74, of Adel, Georgia, passed away at his home on December 8, 2021.  Coach Hughes was born on May 31, 1947 in Sparks, Georgia.  His parents were the late Walter Leon Hughes, Sr. and Myrtle Linda Gray Hughes.  He lived most of his life in Cook County where he served 32 years as an educator and athletic coach for Cook High School until his retirement.  He was also the owner of South Georgia Welding and Repair, Inc.  Coach Hughes was a member of the Cook County Historical Society, National High School Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Cook County Sports Hall of Fame.

Coach Hughes is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gail Whitehurst Hughes of Adel; a son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Kelli Hughes of Adel; two grandsons: Taylor Hughes and his wife, Shelby, and Bailey Hughes, all of Adel; two great-grandchildren: Colton Hughes and Cooper Hughes, both of Adel; a brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Faye Hughes of Adel; five sisters and brothers-in-law: Donna and Jackie Cole of Morven, Georgia, Wanda and Terry Huckabone, of Hahira, Georgia, Bonnie and Harold Folsom of Adel, Kathy Jo and Jeff Holden of Moultrie, Georgia, Christy and Rory Burger of Advance, Missouri; an uncle and aunt, Ronald and Marilyn Gray of Carrabelle, Florida; and a host of nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Wayne Hughes.

The funeral service for Coach Hughes was held on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Springhead Baptist Church with Dr. Danny Ray and Rev. William Davis officiating and Mr. Andy Smith providing the eulogy.  Interment followed at Greggs Cemetery.  The family received visitors from 4:00 until 6:00 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Boone Funeral Home.  Active pallbearers included Taylor Hughes, Bailey Hughes, Chuck McDonald, Ethan Ethridge, Jake Hughes and Josh Hughes; honorary pallbearers included Lorenza Smith, John Burton, Octavius Clowers, Roy Bryant, Kenneth Birdine, Seventer Johnson, and coaches that served with Coach Hughes including Bob Owsley, Jackie Raley, Frankie Cowan, Mike Raynor, Darryll Willett and Mike Barnes.  Steve Meders sang "Amazing Grace" and "Go Rest High on That Mountain" at the service and Jennifer Green played piano.  In lieu of flowers the family requested that donations be made in honor of Coach Hughes to the Cook County Educational Foundation - W.L. Hughes Scholarship (1109 N. Parrish Ave.; Adel, GA 31620), the Cook County Historical Society (c/o Gail Hughes, 180 Gary Lane; Adel, GA 31620) or to Hospice of Tift Area (P.O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31794). The family ask everyone to please wear a mask at visitation and for the funeral service.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.boonefunerals.com .  --Boone Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with all arrangements.