Ulmer "Rastus” Engram Hughes

Ulmer Engram “Rastus” Hughes passed away Monday, February 15, 2021 at Providence Hospital in Waco at the age of 72.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, prior to the funeral.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Groesbeck Funeral Home, with Reverend Bill Sutton officiating.  Burial will follow in Old Union Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Woodall, Justin Woodall, Josh Moore, Flint Noey, Brenden Hughes, Drew Hughes, and Brent Pringle.  Honorary pallbearers will be his former co-workers from Texas Utilities – Big Brown.

Ulmer (known to everyone as Rastus) was born February 13, 1949 in the Old Union community to Gilbert and Maydell Hughes.  He graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1967.  Rastus attended Navarro College, and then Sam Houston University for two years, with the intention to be a teacher in agriculture and animal judging.  For many years, he was employed at MSS Recreation Department as the head scout leader.   He then changed careers and worked for Big Brown at Fairfield as an electrician in the fuel department until retiring after 39 years.

Ulmer married Mary Spillers of Mexia in 1975, and together they raised four children.  They lived in Mexia until 1990, then moved to Old Union and lived there until his death.   Rastus, known as “PaPa” to the family, loved his family and raised his kids to be safe and honest.    He attended many livestock shows during the time the grandchildren were showing animals.   

Rastus was an avid outdoorsman, in hunting and fishing.   He was a gun and knife enthusiast.  He was a perfectionist, with everything having to be done perfectly and detail oriented.   He lived life to the fullest, and would do anything for anyone.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Spillers Hughes and children, Keven Hughes of Waco, Billy Moore and wife Peg, Scott Moore and wife Alisha, and Lisa Woodall.   The grandchildren are: Brenden Hughes, Drew Hughes, Ashley Hughes Smith, Josh Moore, Brent Pringle, Justin Woodall, and Ryan Woodall and wife Ashley; and five great grandchildren and one due in August.    He is also survived by his sister, Patsy Hughes Green, brothers, Elbert (Butch) Hughes, sister, Polly Hughes Bumpurs of Old Union, and sister, Lindy Hughes Meredith of Groesbeck; and numerous nieces and nephews.