BOURBON - Willard D. Higgins, 83, of Warsaw, passed away at 7:15 a.m. Jan. 17, 2010, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
He was born Oct. 28, 1926, in Etna Green, the son of Orville and Hazel Anglin Higgins. On March 26, 1950, he married Betty Stackhouse, who survives.
He was a resident of the Etna Green, Rochester and Warsaw areas all his life. He was a 1944 Etna Green High School graduate. He owned and operated John Deere dealerships in both Rochester and Warsaw. He was a member of the Cruisin Hoosiers, the John Deere 2-cylinder Club and the Corvette Club. He enjoyed classic automobiles, antique tractors car racing and water sports. He attended Calvary Baptist Church, Oswego.
Also surviving are four children: Patrick (and spouse Kristi) Higgins, Warsaw; Paula (and spouse Bob) Blyth, Rolling Meadows, Ill.; Meri (and spouse Fred) Jessup, Goshen; and Melana (and spouse Dave) Smith, Rochester. He was also blessed with 11 grandchildren: Heather Shank; Chase and Kaila Higgins; Brian and Logan Blyth; Lee and Carly Hartman; Lindsay Smith Straeter; and Linnea, Luke and Landon Smith; and four great-grandchildren, Branson, Austin and Hudson Schlemmer and Ellie Straeter. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one grandson.
A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church, Oswego, with Pastors Udel Meyers and Rick Smith officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, and one hour before the service Wednesday at the church.
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Memorials may be made to Word of Life Fellowship, P.O. Box 600 Schroon Lake, NY 12870, attention Ryan Williamson.
Condolences may be sent to deaton-clemensfh@cyberlinkint.com
