Cmsgt Stephen Douglas Acuff, Usaf (Ret)

Stephen "Steve" Douglas Acuff, Chief Master Sergeant, United States Air Force (Ret), 65, passed away on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 after a courageous fight against cancer.

Steve was born on June 16, 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late William Howard Acuff and Mary Taylor Starnes. Steve was the son of an Air Force veteran and grew up in several communities to include Huntsville, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Warner Robins, Georgia; North Highlands, California; and Beaufort, South Carolina. Steve considered Warner Robins as his home and had a strong connection with Warner Robins High School and Beaufort, South Carolina High School Classes of 1965. A lifetime member of the WRHS Touchdown Club, Steve enjoyed attending WRHS Demons football games and playing golf.

After attending the University of South Carolina for two years, Steve joined the Air Force and completed his degree requirements in 1987. He was a veteran of both Southeast Asia and Desert Storm. During his distinguished career, Steve served his country as a Radio Intercept Analyst, a Technical School Instructor, a Professional Military Education Instructor, Director of Education and Commandant of a USAF NCO Leadership School. During this time he earned the Master Instructor Badge and a degree in Communications. Steve was stationed in Turkey, Texas (three times), Greece, Virginia, South Carolina, Italy, and ended his career as the Superintendent of the Military Personnel Flight at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. During his career he was the Honor Graduate of the Air Training Command NCO Academy and was a distinguished graduate of the USAF Senior NCO Academy. He was the 40th Mission Support Group Senior NCO of the year and the USAFE Inspector General NCO of the year. Between 1985 and 1989 he was appointed to the United States Air Force Clemency Board. Among his Military decorations are the Meritorious Defense Medal (3 times) and the Air Force Commendation Medal (3 times).


After retiring from the Air Force, Steve was a Customer Service Manager for Allied Gas and Welding Supply and HOLOX Welding Supply. Trained in Quality Management and LEAN Manufacturing, he contracted to work for Modern Technologies Corporation and STAR Software Systems. He ended his active working career as a Financial and Administrative Consultant. In addition to his parents, his brothers, Frederick Starnes, Michael Acuff, and Jay Acuff, all preceded him in death.

He is survived by his loving wife of forty four years, Pauline Acuff, Bonaire; loving daughters and their husbands, Catherine and Mark Selph and Stephanie and Chuck Sanders, all of Warner Robins; brothers, Robert Samples, Fayetteville, Georgia; Andrew Acuff, Jacksonville, Florida; Thomas Starnes (Cindy), David Starnes (Barbara), all of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Kenneth Acuff (Kathy), Tullahoma, Tennessee; sister, Geri Malone, Huntsville, Alabama; Pawpaw will be greatly missed by grandchildren, John D. Bridges, Robert W. Bridges (Emily), Chelsea L. Bridges, Kelsey I. Selph, Sydney E. Sanders, and Sarah E. Sanders.

Visitation will be Friday evening, November 16, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Services for Chief Acuff will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2012 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Semones officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Magnolia Park Cemetery.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088