Huey Howell

Huey Howell (His story)
On May 26, 2019 at age 75, Huey’s long, hard-fought battle with tonsil cancer, and the result of his treatments ended.
Huey was born on April 22, 1944 in Waycross, GA to the late Rufus B. Howell and Juanita Calhoun Howell.
A 1962 graduate of Ware County High, he was also a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Huey and Nancy Dingler met at Ware County High and were married November 14th, 1964. In 1969, Huey moved the family to Valdosta, Georgia where he began his career with Southern Bell Telephone Company, retiring in 2006 with 38 years of service. After retirement, he worked briefly with FEMA.
He was a person of many interests, talents and hobbies. At the age of 10, Huey took Art lessons. The family has two of his oil paintings showing the remarkable talent he had as a young boy. His love for automobile mechanics began at age 2, working with his father! At one time, he was known as THE DATSUN DOCTOR for Valdosta and surrounding areas. He had a shop at his home and worked on family, friends, and several company vehicles. He was ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
Another adventure started when the family moved on-site to be caretakers at Winding Way Stables. There he enjoyed training horses, horse shows and trail riding events, and meeting many wonderful people along the way.
Huey loved to fish, hunt, ride motorcycles and scuba dive. He was a member of the Muddobber’s Motorcycle Club where he and his son, Mike, participated in enduro racing and other club activities.
Always ready for a challenge, nothing ever stopped him from doing whatever he wanted to do. He loved woodworking and remodeling the family home. He built several pieces of furniture for family and friends. His last woodworking effort was a barn door for the master bath. His final project was a steamer trunk restoration for a long-time friend, Diane Luke.
Huey and Nancy enjoyed motorhome travels, especially visiting their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed their lake home in Jesup, Georgia where friends could visit and he could use his bass boat.
He is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Jimmy and his four legged baby, Angel. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Dingler Howell of Valdosta; Daughter, Donna Rentz (Gary) and granddaughters Rachel and Morgan, all of Rome, Georgia; Son, Mike Howell (Dawn) and granddaughter Lailee all of Chelsea, Al; sisters-in-law, Sandy Hagen of Valdosta and Norma Mach (Kevin) of White Oak, GA, and numerous other family members in the Waycross and Blackshear areas. Besides his family, Huey’s pride and joy was his red and white 1956 Chevy Belair which he restored for the second time after completing his cancer treatments.
A special thanks to the family and friends who took this journey with him. Colin and Diane Luke, thanks for your long-time friendship and being there from day one on his cancer journey and for all your help at the lake house. Pastor, Keith Allsbrook, there are no words to express our gratitude to you and your “HOTLINE TO HEAVEN”, and to Jim Hathaway for always being ready to help whenever needed. Sister-in-law, Sandy, thanks for EVERYTHING! Nurse Lu, you are FAMILY!
The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Friday, May 31, 2019 at the funeral home. No formal service will be held. A private burial will be held in Riverview Memorial Gardens at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Huey’s memory to Hospice of South Georgia, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602.
Messages of sympathy may be expressed to the family by visiting www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Howell Family is being served by the caring and compassionate staff of Music Funeral Services, 3831 N. Valdosta Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602.