Obituary: Hugh Terwilliger

Hugh Warren Terwilliger was born April 29, 1933, at the family farm home near Mount Ayr to Warren and Mary (Milligan) Terwilliger. He welcomed a sister Nancy June, in May of 1940. Hugh attended Lonesome Hollow Country School until 6th grade then finished 7th and 8th grade in Mount Ayr. He graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1951. Hugh married his high school sweetheart, Kay Taylor, on June 20,1954. Hugh worked several jobs, including Ames Cross Oil Station, Harvey Brothers, and farming. Hugh served in the United States Navy in the Korean Conflict from 1955 to 1957. After basic training at Great Lakes he was stationed in San Diego, California on the U.S.S. Eldorado and was shipped to Point Barrow, Alaska. Hugh was a photographer and rode in helicopters on assignments for the Navy.
Hugh and Kay lived most of their married life in Mount Ayr except for three years in Sigourney, Iowa where they managed the local movie theater. Hugh worked for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance as a crop adjuster for twenty-two years. Hugh also had a popcorn wagon business for several years and was known as The Popcorn Man while serving lunch at household and farm sales, ballgames and the Sale Barn.
Hugh was a very active member of the First Christian Church. He served for many years as Sunday School Superintendent and deacon and was very dedicated to his church duties. He always had the coffee made and greeted everyone at the door, every Sunday morning. Hugh took pride in keeping the lawn well groomed, at their home. He had a unique interest in buckeyes and had a large display of all he picked up, right along with the calendars he acquired, and his MANY caps. He also was known for raising goats and could always supply friends and family with goat milk.
He started working at the Wilson-Watson Funeral Home in 1997, which later became the Armstrong Funeral Home. Hugh walked many miles delivering funeral notices over the years. He loved to walk and visit with people in the businesses that he would deliver to.
Hugh and Kay were always together and thankful that they were blessed with good health. They were privileged to celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary last June and their many years together.
Hugh will be remembered for his quiet, mannerly way, his easy smile, dependability, honesty, and memory of history. In younger years he loved to play jokes on his nephews and nieces. From his loving family to his many friends, those memories will always be a part of his legacy.
Hugh passed away on April 22, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, sister-in-law Sue Ann Smith; nephew Bob (Lori) Taylor; great niece Suzie Pierce.
Hugh is survived by his wife Kay, sister Nancy (Bill) Daughton, brother-in-law Alan (Becky) Taylor, nephews Dave (Dixie) Daughton, Joe (Dawn) Daughton, Matt (Jules) Daughton, Mike (Shirley) Smith, Mitch (Julie) Smith; nieces Cathy (Randy) Lambert, Debra (Steve) Wagamon, Amber (Ed) Schafer, and Jennifer Baker, his great nieces and nephews Jeff (Melissa) Smith, Andy (Kristin) Smith, Tom (Alena) Pierce, Josh (Erica) Smith, Brian (Emily) Smith, Brittani Smith, Brett (RaeLynne) Taylor, Evalyn Schafer, Adalyn Schafer, Kylee Taylor, Maisie Yeager, Paige (Wyatt) Rush, Cal (Alyssa) Daughton, Jade (Phil) Kleve, Marcus (Katie) Daughton, Jesse Daughton (fiancé Renee Schulte), Josh (Molly) Baynes, Anthony (Jarissa) Kinsey, Nicki (Scott) Drake, David (Cari) Head, and Nathan (Alta) Head.
Hugh Terwilliger will always be remembered as a very good man.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr. Ginny Eighmy and Korbie Rinehart provided special performances of “How Great Thou Art” and “Because He Lives.” Casketbearers were Dave Daughton, Joe Daughton, Matt Daughton, Brett Taylor, Mitch Smith, and Roger Byer. Honorary Pallbearers were Alan Taylor and Randy Lambert. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors by the Ringgold County American Legion and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. A memorial fund has been established to the First Christian Church. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.