Col. Tyler Bennett Huneycutt III

Tyler Bennett Huneycutt III, 83, of Seneca, SC, passed away at Greenville Memorial Hospital peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after bravely fighting cancer. Born October 7, 1942, in Nashville, GA, he was the son of Tyler Bennett Huneycutt Jr. and Juanelle Shaw Mathis Huneycutt. Ben attended The United States Military Academy at West Point, before choosing a career with the US Air Force. He shared 60 years with Virginia Hodges Ralston, the love of his life, raising three daughters before retiring in The Upstate of South Carolina.

Ben earned his master's in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He served as a C-130 pilot for two tours in Vietnam, taught as a flight instructor, and worked on contracts for Air Force One and Two. During his service, he received several honors including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, and Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon. His Air Force career led the family across the US and overseas. He had the privilege of flying Queen Elizabeth’s car on one of her visits while serving as a liaison officer in the RAAF. His final assignment was as commander of Clemson’s Air Force ROTC. After leaving the Air Force, Colonel Huneycutt continued at Clemson University as an educator and administrator.

Ben was energetic and loved activities like running, landscaping, and hiking. He was dedicated to being a faithful family man and follower of Jesus. His tenor voice filled barbershop quartets, church choirs, and musical theaters, and his family grew used to his cheerful humming and singing at home. In 2011, Ben earned first place in his age group at the Reedy River 10k Run in Greenville, SC. As a “girl dad”, he patiently drove the mobile beauty salon to church each week, coached softball, and taught us to be defensive drivers.

Surviving are daughter Lisa (Kevin) Burgess of Tuscumbia, AL; daughter Julie (Patrick) Miller of LaPorte, IN; beloved son-in-law Marcus (Lisa) Riggins of Central, SC; brother John Huneycutt of Las Vegas, NV; brother-in-law Jack Ralston of Marietta, GA; sister-in-law Barbara (Rick) Reddig of Lake Worth, FL; nine grandchildren – Tyler (Larissa) Burgess of Salem, OH; Kyle Burgess of Pittsburgh, PA; Ginny Dotson of Tuscumbia, AL; Ben Burgess of Raleigh, NC; Talbot and Bennett Dorr of LaPorte, IN; Jack (Victoria) Riggins of Del Rio, TX; Olivia Riggins of Anderson, SC; and Sydney Riggins of Clemson, SC; five great grandchildren; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Ginny, mother, father, sister Carol Mailley, and daughter Carol Ann Riggins.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to Clemson Presbyterian Church to help support the grounds which Ben loved and cared for so well.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Clemson Presbyterian Church starting at 10 AM. A visitation will follow the service at the Church.

An inurnment ceremony with military honors will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Clemson, SC, starting at 1:30 PM.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.