Cold War veteran thriving at age 93

AXTON, Va. (WDBJ) - 93-year-old William Huff is from Axton, Virginia.

Huff was drafted during the Cold War and served as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 – and continued serving in the Army Reserve until 1962. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was responsible for putting the complex electronics and hydraulics systems into place during test firings of weapons and missiles.

After his military service, Huff returned home to Axton, Virginia and turned his skills to construction – building houses with his own hands. Over a lifetime he built more than 176 homes, overseeing every detail – from foundations to plumbing and roofing.

“I’d start from nothing, and drop the keys off in their hands,” he said proudly.

Almost a year ago, Huff broke his back during a fall at a local nursing home, where he was recovering, and his family feared he would never return to the vibrant, active man they knew. But in February of this year he received kyphoplasty surgery at the Salem VA Medical Center – a procedure that treats vertebral compression fractures (not the most common for 93-year-old to receive), but this treatment made all the difference.

“We thought we were bringing him home to die,” Huff’s son Howard said. “He not only survived, he’s home and thriving.”

After the surgery, a resilient Huff returned to his home – which he built with his own two hands – and resumed the active life he loves – making himself breakfast, doing his exercises, and taking pride in caring for his 10-acre property (blowing off his porch and drive-way and watering his plants are his favorite daily activities).

“I enjoy doing these things.. they keep me going,” Huff says.

Huff is proud to have served his nation and continues receiving care from the Salem VA Health Care System – “The Salem VA changed my life and gave me back the things I love most,” Huff said.

He added: “It’s not a weakness to come to the VA—they want to help you, and they will help you. Every time I come here, I leave better than when I left. I trust the people here.”