BOSSIER CITY – The life of Robert Don Huie, age 63, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Willis-Knighton Health System, will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel, First Baptist Church of Bossier. Officiating will be Dr. Larry Williams. Interment will follow at Rose-Neath Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Faith Chapel, First Baptist Church of Bossier.
Robert, who was born to Ralph and Billie Ruth Ware Huie on October 12, 1949, died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 7, at his home in Bossier City.
For 42 years, Robert was employed by Willis-Knighton, serving in supervisory positions in the data processing, purchasing and accounting departments prior to being named Vice President of Finance in 1982 and in 1999 to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Robert also served as Secretary to the Willis-Knighton’s Board of Trustees. Robert was the copilot to James K. Elrod during the growth and transformation of Willis-Knighton, providing sage financial advice and careful attention to all fiscal matters. Although he shunned the public spotlight throughout his career there, his role was vital to the success of Willis-Knighton and his contributions were widely acknowledged by health system officials and his peers in the industry.
A native of Shreveport, Robert graduated from Woodlawn High School and from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Health Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and a Master of Business Administration degree from Centenary College of Louisiana. When not dealing with financial matters, Robert enjoyed physical fitness and working in his yard.
Preceding Robert in death was his dear father, Ralph Don Huie and father-in-law, William Budwah. Left to honor and cherish his memory are his loving wife, Carla Budwah Huie, and her son, Kevin Caughman of Bossier City; mother, Billie Ruth Huie of Bossier City; children, Bradley Huie of Bossier City and Christin May and husband Jeremy of Stonewall; brother, Steven Huie and wife Linda of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Cameron Maze May and Dallas May; nephews Garrett, Alex and Conner Huie, mother-in-law, Julia Ann Budwah of Plain Dealing, and all members of his Willis-Knighton family.
Honoring Robert as pallbearers will be Atilla Balogh, M.D., William Jefferson Cole, James K. Elrod, Ira L. Moss, Charles A. Powers, M.D. and Lamar P. Pugh. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Clifton S. Coffman, M.D., Bill Gerardy, Daniel J. Moller, Jr., M.D., Barry Shipp, Sanjeevi C. Tivakaran, M.D. and Willis-Knighton’s Executive Team.
The family extends special thanks to Donna Rowe, Sandra Ursery and Mary Jane Ward for the years of dedication, love and support they gave to Robert.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission 901 McNeil Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, or Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 or the charity of the donor’s choice .
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
