Floyd Huddleston; Songwriter

Floyd Huddleston, an Academy Award-nominated songwriter whose compositions were recorded by artists such as Frank Sinatra, has died at a Panorama City hospital. He was 73.

A North Hollywood resident, Huddleston died Friday of a heart attack, said his wife, Nancy Adams Huddleston.

Born in Leland, Miss., Huddleston sang and wrote songs for Glenn Miller’s Army Air Force Band during World War II. After he was discharged, Huddleston came to California where he was under contract with Decca Records in 1949. He later wrote lyrics for songs in several films, including “The Ballad of Josie” (1967), “Midnight Cowboy” (1969) and “The Aristocats” (1970). In 1973, he and George Brunes were nominated for an Academy Award for their song “Love,” which was used in Disney’s “Robin Hood” (1972).

Huddleston, who often collaborated on songs with the late Al Rinker, also co-wrote songs with Steve Allen, Cy Coleman and Henry Mancini.

Huddleston wrote an estimated 800 songs, some of which were recorded by Frank Sinatra (“Satisfy Me One More Time”), the late Judy Garland (“Positive Thinkin’ ”) and the late Sarah Vaughan (“Idol Gossip”).

Huddleston wrote lyrics for theater productions such as “Shuffle Along” and “The New Ziegfeld Follies.” He also wrote the script, produced and composed songs for a 1978 TV special starring the late Lucille Ball.

At the time of his death, Huddleston was working on a musical titled “Brother Elwood’s Gospel Truck.”

In addition to his wife of 25 years, Huddleston is survived by his son, Huston Huddleston of North Hollywood; and his mother, Hettye T. Huddleston of Osyka, Miss.

A funeral service was held Monday with burial at Valhalla Memorial Park. Pierce Brothers Valhalla Mortuary in North Hollywood handled the arrangements.