William Jerome McHugh, Sr.

The Honorable William McHugh, Sr., born December 15, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, is the younger of two children of the late Flanders Jerry McHugh and Clemmie Lee Williams McHugh.

William, affectionately known as Bill, graduated from De Andreis High School in June 1964 and continued his studies at Harris Stowe Teachers College, graduating in June 1968, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree. After spending four years as a teacher in the St. Louis Public School System, he decided he wanted to become an attorney. Bill then earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, December, 1974.

Bill was a lifelong Catholic who was baptized at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in St. Louis and received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Ann’s Catholic Church - Shrine Parish and remained connected to it throughout his adult life. Even as churches merged, he continued to serve on various committees.

While studying law in Des Moines, Bill met and married Sandra Johnson, blending their family with daughter Jo Lena Johnson and growing it with his son William Jr.

On June 17, 1989, Bill wed Alice Cunningham, whom he had known for many years, as their big sisters, Jerry Eileen and Yvonne, were the very best of friends. To this blended family, he has a son, Kenneth, Jr., and a daughter, Alexis. For thirty-six years, they enjoyed “the best blended family,” as he put it. In addition to traveling for family reunions, cruises, and road trips, Bill and Alice loved supporting their grandchildren and celebrating their latest achievements, accolades, and awards. As a matter of fact, Bill and Alice were even extras in a Tyler Perry movie while visiting Atlanta; of course, he didn’t tell anybody, people saw his face, got excited, and called him to say, “Why didn’t you tell me?” Never bragging, nor complaining, Bill was a quiet and humble man.

William J. McHugh passed the Missouri Bar and the U.S. Court of the Western District of Missouri, both in 1975, becoming Counselor and Attorney at Law. At the beginning of his law career, he served as a Staff Attorney and then as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Juvenile Division of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit. William was appointed as Municipal Court Judge for the City of St. Louis by Mayors Vincent C. Schoemehl, Freeman Bosley, Jr., and Clarence Harmon’s administrations.

During his 51 years of practicing law, Attorney McHugh worked in the Law Office of Wayne C. Harvey, and in the partnership of Caldwell, Hughes, McHugh, and Singleton prior to spending the latter years in his own private practice. He remained in good standing as a member of the American Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, and the Mound City Bar Association. He remained connected to the Drake Alumni Association, Knights of Columbus, and The Anniversary Club. He took great joy in participating with the Mo Hab Riders; Bill completed 7 trips, including riding from Sikeston to St. Charles and from Chicago, Illinois, to the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis. Those rides serve as annual fundraisers for the Manchester United Methodist Church - Habitat for Humanity House.

Initiated into the Omicron Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated on November 6, 1965, Bill was part of the S.S. Mercedes line with David Richard, III, Foster Harris, Keith Small, and Patrick Parker, known as “The Untouchables.” He was named Graduate Brother of the Year in 1969. Brother McHugh is a Life Member 160 and remained an active member of the Upsilon Omega Chapter throughout his life. He was honored during a celebration of his 60th anniversary in the fraternity in November of 2025. Bill was also a founding member of 420 Enterprises with his beloved brothers Jerome Swift and Harry Ratliff, 1970-1973.

Bill leaves to cherish his loving memory his beloved and faithful wife, Alice; sons, William McHugh, Jr., and Kenneth Cunningham, Jr. (Juanita); daughters, Jo Lena Johnson and Alexis Wilborn (Joseph); grandchildren, Leena Alyse McHugh, Kenneth Cunningham, III, Kennedy Cunningham, Kendrick Cunningham, Joshua Wilborn, and Abigail Wilborn; and a host of cousins, relatives and dear friends.