Howard Elliott Hastings

Howard Elliott Hastings, age 69, entered into rest on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 following an extended illness. Howard was often called Elliott to distinguish him from his father, also named Howard.

Elliott was born in Elgin, Illinois to the late Howard Eugene Hastings and Martha Alice McKibbin Hastings. He was a devoted family man and a devout member of First Baptist Church Augusta. He was a fighter from birth, having been born three months premature in 1951. He knew God had a plan for his life. He was a generous man with a kind and compassionate heart and would help anyone if he could. He was a hard working man. Elliott was proud to tell everyone he served in all three branches of the United States Army and retired as a Staff Sergeant. A true patriot, he enjoyed learning about American history and military history. He never met a stranger and had a love for all of God’s creatures- people and animals alike. Everyone who met him, liked him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Betty Frances Sides who passed away on March 2. He is also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Owen Charles Candler who passed away in 2005.

Elliott is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Linda Candler Hastings; two sons, Chad Hastings (Elizabeth) of Australia and Benjamin Hastings of Minneapolis, Minnesota; two grandsons, Daniel Hastings and Michael Hastings; two brothers, Jeff Hastings (Linda) of Portland, Oregon and Scott Hastings (Vicki) of Rockford, Illinois; nieces, Natalie Hastings and Bethany Hastings; two nephews, Ronnie Candler and Randy Candler; several cousins and his faithful canine companion, Lexie. Elliott leaves behind many friends and neighbors, among them Beth and Chase Hasbrouck and James Cook.
A celebration of Elliott’s life will take place at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in the Storey Chapel of First Baptist Church of Augusta. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. The service can be viewed on livestream at www.facebook.com/plattsfuneralhome.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Forces United www.forcesunited.org; Tunnel to Towers Foundation www.tunnel2towers.org; or to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association www.billygraham.org.