‘VA gave me a new lease on life’ 93-year-old Virginia Veteran Home and Thriving After VA Treatment

In January of 2025, the future for 93-year-old Army Veteran William Maurice Huff was discouraging.

“We thought we were bringing him home to die,” Huff’s son Howard said.

After a fall at a local nursing home broke his back, his family feared he would never return to the vibrant, active man they once knew.

But, in less than half a year, Huff’s outlook would change dramatically.

“He not only survived, he’s home and thriving – thanks to the Salem VA,” Howard said.

This is the story of William Huff, a resilient man who defied the odds to return home to continue doing the things he loves most.

In February of 2025, Huff underwent kyphoplasty surgery at the Salem VA Medical Center. The procedure, which treats vertebral compression fractures, is not the most common for a 93-year-old to receive – but this treatment made all the difference.

“It was night and day—there was instant relief,” his son Howard recalled. “And the personalized care the staff gave him was second-to-none.”

Huff’s recovery was supported by a dedicated care team at the Salem VA Medical Center, including Physical Therapy Assistant Brittany Mills. Their connection was so strong that when they reunited recently, Huff’s eyes welled with tears, and he gave her a big hug.

“Look at all this energy you have, Mr. Huff,” Mills said with a smile.

“It’s from you,” Huff replied. “I wouldn’t be here without you.”

Huff fondly recalled how Mills would sit outside with him, working through therapy sessions.

“The therapy was slow at first, then it took off – he did all of the hard work, he was motivated,” Mills said.

Huff’s main motivation? Returning to the place he loves most – his home.

From Soldier to Home Builder

Drafted during the Cold War, Huff served as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, then continued in the Army Reserve until 1962. Stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, he was responsible for putting the complex electronics and hydraulics systems into position to fire/test.

After his military service, Huff turned his skills to construction, building houses with his own hands. Over a lifetime, he built more than 176 homes, overseeing every detail—from foundations to plumbing to roofing.

“I’d start from nothing, and drop the keys off in their hands,” he said proudly.

Living and working at home is meaningful as it represents his life’s work – not just physical home he built for himself, but the life he built with the people who lived inside it. He lived there with his late wife Lola, his children, and many cherished moments.

“It means everything to be back home,” Huff said. “My wife’s memory and spirit stay with me here.”

He reminisced with a chuckle, “Lola wanted a pony – I had to buy 10 more acres to get one though.”

He loved caring for his 10-acre lot, and exploring the property – something he can do once again thanks to a scooter from the VA.

Thriving Today

In addition to a scooter, the Salem VA Health Care System provided Huff with a specialized bed, lift, two wheelchairs, and a walker.

“They make a big difference in helping me enjoy my day-to-day life,” Huff said.

Howard marveled at his father’s recovery “He’s truly thriving, it’s amazing,” he said.

Today, Huff starts his days getting out of bed, dressing himself, and making breakfast. “I’m a pretty good cook,” he laughed.

He exercised on the back porch using a homemade ladder to pull himself up and down.

Once dependent on others for assistance with nearly everything, Huff now bakes his own cookies and treated members of the Salem VA Health Care System team to homemade pretzels during a recent visit.

He tends to his plants and takes pride in using his blower to clean the porch and driveway – taking special care to ensure no grass, dust, or debris is left behind.

He also completed a 500-piece puzzle recently – just one of the many ways he keeps his mind sharp.

“I enjoy doing these things.. they keep me going,” Huff said with a smile.

VA Care

Huff has received care through VA for 17 years and has a simple message for Community Veterans – whom he knows are self-less and often put the well-being of others before themselves: “It’s not a weakness to come to the VA—they want to help you, and they will help you. Every time I come here, I leave better than when I left. I trust the people here.”

Mills reflected on what drives her and her fellow employees at the Salem VA Health Care System, “It’s always special to see the impact your care has – when they can go home and enjoy their favorite things in life, that’s why we do what we do here at the Salem VA.”

“You get to know them on a deeper level.. they feel like family,” she added.

“She is a part of my family, and she’ll always be,” Huff replied.

“I’ll always make sure you’re taken care of,” Mills said after pausing and smiling at Huff.

“She saved me… the VA changed my life and gave me back the things I love most” Huff said simply.

Huff continues living in his Axton, Virginia home – enjoying the life he built – not just for himself, but his family and community. His drive to continue serving others, and the enjoyment of memories he built over a lifetime keep him living life to the fullest, every day.