St. George, Utah - Hugh A. Binning, age 95, passed away February 7, 2014. He was born August 17, 1918 in Coshocton, Ohio to Roy and Nan Shrimplin Binning. He had two brothers and one sister. He attended elementary schools in Coshocton and West Lafayette, Ohio. He played trombone in the high school band, in the orchestra for the Boy Scouts and in the Coshocton County Band. He married Mary Ella Mines Pavis in 1964 in Concord, California.

In 1942, Hugh enlisted in the Air Force and attended the Air Force School in Chanute Field, Rantaul, Illinois. He was assigned to the 79 ^th Fighter Group. They were the second fighter group being sent to the desert in Africa (being attached to General Montgomery). His unit served in Egypt- Libya; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Rhineland; and Southern France. He received a Theater Ribbon, seven Bronze Stars, a good conduct medal, and a Distinguished Unit Citation.

After the war he played some semi-pro softball. He also enjoyed bowling and golfing, but his favorite was flying. His first lesson was in 1935 in a OX9 Waco Green Cockpit Biplane. He had his private pilots license and flew until the mid 1950s.

Hugh worked in the retail industry for Montgomery Wards, Macys - San Francisco and Liberty House - San Francisco. He was Assistant Director of Store Planning and Construction for H.R.T Industries in Westwood, California. After retiring in 1983, he and Mary moved to Santa Rosa, California. They traveled through out the United States and Canada. In 1990, they moved to St. George, Utah and were parishioners of the St. George Catholic Church.

Hugh is survived by his children: Linda Kay Binning Davis, Charles Allan Binning, Margaret Eileen Binning (Kris) Carroll and Daughter-in-law: Sandy Emerick, all of Indiana. Five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; and grandchildren, Steven Carroll and Sarah Binning.

Intention and Mass Services will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. at the St. George Catholic Church, 259 West 200 North, St. George, Utah. Per Hughs request, he will be cremated and interred next to his wife, Mary, in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California at a later date. "I would like to thank the many, many friends that my wife and I had, especially Fr. Vialdo, Fr. Silva and Deacon Willie Folkes." Arrangements are entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.