Hugh G. Epperson Jr., 96, Rock Island, passed away Sunday, October 31, 2021, at his residence.

Private service will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline, with military honors conducted by Moline Legion Post #246.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to QC Paws or the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island is assisting the family.

Hugh was born on December 8, 1924 in Mercer County, IL.  Hugh was a graduate of Rock Island High School.  He married Alice DeMartelaere on July 27, 1947 in Rock Island.  Hugh was a proud veteran serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, one of his greatest memories was joining fellow veterans on the Quad Cities Honor Flight.  Hugh worked for the Rock Island Fire Department, and spent 28 years at the Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department retiring as the Assistant Chief.  After retirement he worked security and safety department as the safety manager at John Deere Davenport Works, and then worked part time at Export Packaging (XPAC), until his full retirement.  Hugh was a member of the Masonic Eureka Lodge #69, the Scottish Rite Bodies, Moline American Legion Post #246, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Rock Island, and the Loyal Order of Moose, Rock Island.  Hugh was a lifelong Cubs fan who lived long enough to see them win the World Series.

Hugh's family would like to give a special thank you to the Private Care Employees and Hospice Compassus for their great care and compassion they gave to Hugh and family members.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Epperson; children, Sandra Black, Nancy (Kent) Thomas, and Edward (Tammy) Epperson; 8 grandsons; 8 great grandsons; and 4 great granddaughters.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Keith Epperson.