Wilber R. ‘Bill’ Higgins, 91, of Modesto died peacefully at home on Friday, May 15 with his family and little dog, “Lucky” by his side.
He was born in Oklahoma and moved to Tuolumne with his family at the age of two.
Mr. Higgins loved the mountains and lived in the Tuolumne area until he enlisted in the Army/Air Corps in 1942 where he met the love of his life, Jane Starck. They married and moved to Modesto in 1944 and had five children.
He was a pipe fitter by trade (Local Union 442) with a passion for building. He built two of the family’s houses and his pride and joy, the cabin in Long Barn. His skills weren’t limited to houses; he also built a boat and water skis to go along with it. All five children were raised on the water and have fond memories of vacations at Lake Don Pedro, Tahoe, and the Delta.
After retirement he and his wife traveled back east each summer to visit relatives and friends and always took the train. “What’s the hurry?” was their motto, “We want to see the country.”
The family would like to specially thank Visiting Nurses, Hospice, Dr. Tanner, Dr. Tolboe, and Doctors Medical Center. Also, a special thank you to Edna Watkins, Bea Harp, and Lillian Esparza, his caregivers who always gave him extraordinary T.L.C.
He is survived by his five children, Chuck (Joyce) Higgins of Don Pedro, Don (Margaret) Higgins of Modesto, Cindy (Tim) Martin of Oakdale, Bill (Gayle) Higgins of Knights Ferry, and Jill (Tim) Smith of Lake In The Hills, IL; sister, Ruby Shore of Sonora; 13 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Lucky.
Viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, with services at 1 p.m. at Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home, 225 East Rose at Lyons Street, Sonora.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Visiting Nurses Association, 1316 Celeste Way, Modesto, CA 95355; or to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
May 20, 2009
He was born in Oklahoma and moved to Tuolumne with his family at the age of two.
Mr. Higgins loved the mountains and lived in the Tuolumne area until he enlisted in the Army/Air Corps in 1942 where he met the love of his life, Jane Starck. They married and moved to Modesto in 1944 and had five children.
He was a pipe fitter by trade (Local Union 442) with a passion for building. He built two of the family’s houses and his pride and joy, the cabin in Long Barn. His skills weren’t limited to houses; he also built a boat and water skis to go along with it. All five children were raised on the water and have fond memories of vacations at Lake Don Pedro, Tahoe, and the Delta.
After retirement he and his wife traveled back east each summer to visit relatives and friends and always took the train. “What’s the hurry?” was their motto, “We want to see the country.”
The family would like to specially thank Visiting Nurses, Hospice, Dr. Tanner, Dr. Tolboe, and Doctors Medical Center. Also, a special thank you to Edna Watkins, Bea Harp, and Lillian Esparza, his caregivers who always gave him extraordinary T.L.C.
He is survived by his five children, Chuck (Joyce) Higgins of Don Pedro, Don (Margaret) Higgins of Modesto, Cindy (Tim) Martin of Oakdale, Bill (Gayle) Higgins of Knights Ferry, and Jill (Tim) Smith of Lake In The Hills, IL; sister, Ruby Shore of Sonora; 13 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Lucky.
Viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, with services at 1 p.m. at Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home, 225 East Rose at Lyons Street, Sonora.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Visiting Nurses Association, 1316 Celeste Way, Modesto, CA 95355; or to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
May 20, 2009
