William Wilson Higgs
April 1, 1935 ~ February 3, 2009
Services:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:30 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Jack Kennealy officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM.
Wm. “Wilson” Higgs, 73, of Hollywood, MD, passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones at St. Mary’s Nursing Center on February 3, 2009 after a long term illness. Born April 1, 1935 in Laurel Grove, MD, he was the son of the late James Roland and Mary Eva Tippett Higgs. He was the beloved husband of 54 years to Agnes Marie Ferguson Higgs whom he married at St. John’s Church in Hollywood, MD. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Jerry Higgs and his wife Diane and his granddaughter Amber of Hollywood, MD as well as his sisters Alberta O’Hara and her husband Butch and Doris E. Dearstine, all of Hollywood, MD as well as several generations of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son David Higgs, brother James “Allie” Higgs and sister Maude Jones. Higgs, a life-long St. Mary’s County resident, was a school bus contractor for St. Mary’s County Public School system for over 50 years. A number of those years he personally traveled thousands of miles safely seeing county children and then their children safely to and from school. In addition to his bus contracting, he was the proprietor of Higgs Enterprises designing and building several single family dwellings in the county. He had a great passion for all things “countian.” The son of a farmer, he worked the land and raised cattle. Depending on the season, he loved a good blue crab or oyster. Many a family member learned how to stuff ham under his strict tutelage in the family kitchen. A smile forever graced his face and he had humor like no other. Higgs had a love for good gospel music and had an unshakable faith in his creator. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:30 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, MD. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Dearstine, Troy Ferguson, Tommy Long, David Norris, Donnie Russell and Reese Tippett. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Higgs, Billy Jones, Harry Nelson, Francis Tippett, Michael Wathen and Timmy Wathen. Contributions may be made to Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad. P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636.
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“Agnes: So sorry to learn about Wilson’s death. You will always have your memories to help ease the pain. We will always remember the trip we all took to Branson, Missouri. May God bless you and your son. We will keep you in our prayers. We now live in Alabama, and will be unable to attend any of the services for Wilson. Love, Skip & Doris Jones”
“Your are in my thoughts and prayers. Uncle Wilson will be missed Sandy”
“TO ALL THE HIGGS FAMILY, WE ARE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. HE WAS A CARING AND FINE PERSON. OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL.”
“Dear Agnes, Jerry and family. Wilson was one of the first people we got to know when we moved to St. Mary’s County. We will always remember him as one of the nicest, kindest people we have ever known. “
“Aunt Agnes Marie and Jerry: God bless you and hold you near in your time of grief. Uncle Wilson was one of a kind and truly loved and admired by all that knew him and were in his presence. He is now at eternal peace and with those who have gone before him, especially David. We love you. Our love and prayers for you both, Janie & Clem and family”
“Our condolences Cathy & Dave. I knew he had been ill for awhile – but he is no longer in pain. God Bless.”
“Dear Aunt Agnes and Jerry, please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts. Uncle Wilson will always be remembered for the caring and loving person he was. We know that he is now with Mom, Uncle Allie, Grandma and Granddad in Heaven and they will welcome him with loving and open arms. We love you very much.”
“Miss Cathy We are saddened to hear of Uncle Wilson’s passing. I loved to listen to his stories. That man probably died knowing more about Hollywood than we will ever know. Momma once quoted an Indian poet whose name was Tigori. He said that “death is not the end. It is the dimming of the lamp because dawn has come.” Many blessings. Our thoughts are with you.”
“SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR LOSS, WILSON WAS A GOOD MAN. WE WILL ALL MISS HIM DEARLY, LET GOD BE WITH YOU THROUGH GRIEVING. CATHERINES FRIEND, BARBARA ANN “
“Dear Agnes – I held Wilson in the highest esteem. He was truly a gentleman and one of the most respectful people I’ve ever known. Please take care of yourself. “
“Dear Agnes and The Higgs Family: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am so glad I had the pleasure of knowing him. He was one of the nicest and caring persons I knew. I am sure he will be missed. My prayers are with you and Wilson. Peggy Brady”
“Agnes,Doris and Alberta,we are so sorry about Wilson,what a wonderful and caring person he was to our family.You all are in our thoughts and prayers.If there is anything that we can do please let us know”
“Aunt Agnes, We love you dearly and we will all miss Uncle Wilson. Time heals all wounds and he will never be forgotten. LOVE YOU!”
“Agnes and family,we are in Florida and was saddened to hear of Wilson’s passing. He was a wonderful person and always such a pleasure to talk to. Agnes you and all the family are in our thoughts and prayers. Diane and Frank Bell”
“Mrs. Higgs, and Cathy, I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Higgs will be missed by many.I will miss walking into my dad’s room and not see you there! He was a good roommate for my dad, they had so much in common. A kind caring man. He is in good hands now>”
“Dear Higgs Family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. It is a loss that will be felt throughout the county! He was a wonderful man and many lives have been touched by his kindness. There is hope of seeing him again some day in heaven. Just know that heaven is a little richer today, because he is there! You all are in my thoughts and prayers! “
“Aunt Agnes I’am so sorry to hear about Uncle Wilson he was a good person. If you need help with any thing do not hesitate to call on me.”
“I USE TO BE A NEIGHBOR LIVING ACROSS THE STREET ON KENNETH COURT. I REMEMBER WHEN ONE OF HIS COW’S GOT OUT AND ENDED UP IN MY YARD. IT WAS SO FUNNY AT THE TIME MY SON WAS SO SCARED FOR ME BUT I ALSO LIVED ON A FARM AND KNEW WHAT TO DO BUT MY SON TRIED TO TALK ME OUT OF DOING ANYTHING. MR. HIGGS CAME OVER AND THANKED ME FOR GETTING HIS COW BACK ON THE FARM. I WAS GLAD TO DO IT. MY DEEPEST THOUGHT GOES OUT TO HIS ENTIRE FAMILY HE WAS A VERY GOOD MAN. GOD BLESS ALL D.L.LEHMAN”
“Lived on corner of Kenneth court. Rode the bus w/Mr. Higgs many moons ago, [I’m now 40 something!] Been away from that area for a long time, but remember him with great admiration of being a great MAN! He will be missed by many! God Bless everyone! “
“Mrs. Higgs and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Mr. Higgs was such a nice & pleasant man. It was a honor to know him, may he rest in peace. “
“I remember Uncle Wilson as a little girl on my grandparent’s, William and Gladys Tippett’s, farm. I always thought of him as a gentle giant and I know he was much loved and will be greatly missed. “
“I will always remember Wilson’s phone calls to transportation. It always blew his mind how I could tell his voice on the phone. He will be greatly missed by all.”
“Mrs. Higgs and Jerry and Family, We are sadden to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. “
“I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. Higgs passing. He was always a wonderful, kind, gentle man. I’m sorry that I can not be there for the family due to my illness. I will always remember what a wonderful man he was. My love, thoughts and prayers are with all of you.”
“I will forever remember Uncle Wilson. I spent many fond weekends with his niece, Valerie, down at “the lot”. That’s where I learned how to catch a crab and eat a crab, where I first heard of this crazy thing called stuffed ham, and where I learned how to play the card game rummy. More importantly and dear to my heart are the many life stories Uncle Wilson shared as we sat sharing a meal or watching the sun set over an inlet of the St. Mary’s river. He and his family always welcomed me into their homes and hearts. He will be missed for sure, but my memory of him and the things he introduced me to will live on as long as I do. My prayer for comfort goes to all those feeling loss. <3 "
“Wilson was one of the nicest people that we have ever known. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
“Agnes,Doris,Albert, The Higgs family was our extended family, Uncle Wilson was such a caring person, his laughter, stories and love he has given to some many people was the greatest gift any one could receive, Love to you all.”
“Agnes, I was sorry to learn of Wilson’s passing. I remember him as my best friend at Great Mills High School. We spent many hours under Miss Jane and Miss Martha Mattingly trying to learn ancient history & other subjects. I enjoyed the times spent on the farm with Wilson’s family and the bountiful meals at their table. I remember him with great fondness. May God bless you and yours during this time of grief. Sincerely, J.J.& Betty Christman Athens, TN.”
“Agnes,Doris,Alberta,and family, I am saddened to hear of Uncle Wilson passing on but glad to know he is dancing in Glory. I appreciate the hugs and stories bestowed upon me during the times I stopped by to pick or drop Laura off at your place. I am thankful for all of the kindness you showed Laura over the years. May the arms of Jesus comfort you at this time. Love to all, Julie Dean”
“To Jerry, Diane, and Amber. It is with heavy hearts that we send our love to you, and the entire family at this time. May you find comfort and peace in the promises of our Great God Jehovah, and your memories of your loved one bring laughter and joy to you even in these saddest of times. Our deepest Love & Sympathy your friends… Joy & Zina Fenwick”