Howard James Austin Jr.

Sumter, SC…Howard James “Jim” Austin, age 71, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, surrounded by family at his home, after a long battle with cancer.

Born March 14, 1948, in Omaha, NE, to the late Howard James Austin Sr. and Evelyn Cecilia Austin.  Raised and educated in Plattsmouth, NE, high school class of 1966.  In 1967 he enlisted in the Air Force to start a distinguished career in Law Enforcement.  Retiring November 1987 as a Security Police Master Sergeant.  Jim continued his career in Sumter, retiring November 2011 as a Lieutenant with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Margaret "Maggie" Austin; two sons, Howard J. "Howie" Austin III and Douglas L. Austin and his wife Kathy, both of Sumter; two daughters, Erin C. Austin of Sumter and Shannon C. Vanderhoef and her husband Mike of Travis AFB, CA; two granddaughters, Andrea Austin and Ashtyn Austin of Pueblo, CO; one grandson, Michael Austin of Sumter and a very special son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Sharon Williams of MD.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 5:00 pm in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with Steve Shugart officiating.  Final honors will follow the service provided by the Shaw AFB Honor Guard and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 4:00-5:00 pm, on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Bullock Funeral Home

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

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