He was born October 22, 1933, to Ceaf Sylvester Higgins and Tenniesee Virginia Spears on Beaver Mountain, in Haskell County, Oklahoma, at his Grandma Spears’s house. He attended school at Beaver Mountain from age six through the sixth grade. His education continued through the ninth grade in McFarland, California. Bill worked with his family picking crops in California and Oregon. In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and received his honorable discharge in 1956. While in the service he received his G.E.D. On August 1, 1958, he married Queenie Darlene Tomlin and moved to Pampa, Texas, where he worked for Electric Supply for ten years. He loved fishing and hunting and won several trap shoot events. Their family began with the birth of Edd Mac and three years later Dana Ruth arrived. In 1968, he sold his prize coin collection and they moved to Oklahoma City. From 1969 to 1979, he and his brother-in-law, Bill Parker, began and operated B&B Upholstery. In 1979, Orville Jones came to work at his shop. Bill taught several others his craft, including many students from VoTech. He did custom upholstery for several interior designers and upholstery repairs for some major furniture stores. In 2006, Bill and Darlene retired to Elk City where they attend the First Assembly of God Church. He was very involved cooking the men’s breakfast, always had candy in his pocket to pass out, and gave a special nickname to everyone. Bill enjoyed gardening and sharing the vegetables he grew. He loved watching his grandkids play sports and other activities. He was a fourteen year lung cancer survivor.

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents; brothers, Bobby Ray and Bud, and his sister Doshie Parker.

Bill is survived by his faithful wife Darlene; his son Edd and his wife Sherry, daughter Dana and her husband Rusty Ridling; grandchildren: Rebel and his wife Danna Ridling, Cogan and his wife Kyndal Higgins, Kayley and her husband Blake Shropshire, Harli Ridling; four great-granddaughters, Emersyn and Decklyn Ridling, Nora and Winnie Shropshire; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at First Assembly of God in Elk City, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Poarch Cemetery in Carter, Oklahoma.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 17, 2019 from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Monday, March 18, 2019 from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM at Whinery Funeral Home in Elk City, Oklahoma.

Online guestbook and condolences are available at www.whineryfs.com. Services are under the care and direction of Whinery Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Assembly of God Church Building Fund, P O Box 414, Elk City, OK 73648.

Visitation
Sunday, March 17, 2019 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Whinery Funeral Service
403 W. Country Club
Elk City, Oklahoma 73644

Visitation
Monday, March 18, 2019 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Whinery Funeral Service
403 W. Country Club
Elk City, Oklahoma 73644

Funeral Service
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 11:00 AM
First Assembly of God
2701 S Randall Ave
Elk City, Ok 73648

Burial
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 12:30 PM
Poarch Cemetery
N. 2010 Rd
Carter, Oklahoma

A keepsake video is available through the funeral home.

Thank You For Your Service!