James Howard Wiggins, Sr. age 77 of Arab, died Thursday – March 3, 2016 at his residence.
He was born on November 20, 1938 in Keewanee Mississippi, the son of Robert Howard Wiggins & Grace Ward Herman. He graduated High School in Hitchcock Texas. He also served in the Vitenam War and was in the U.S. Navy working on Diesel and Nuclear Submarines and surface ships. He ultimately achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander and later retired from the U.S. Navy. He went to the University of Texas and earned his B.S. Degree in Aerospace Engineering. During his career as an engineer he worked for Boeing Microcraft, Allied Signal, Honeywell, Raytheon and was an independent consultant to the aerospace industry. He later founded Technical Analysis Inc. (TAI), which brought him to NASA and US Government Agencies in Huntsville, Alabama where he retired.
He was a member of the Warrior Creek Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Mary Ann Gober Wiggins; sons: James Wiggins Jr. (Sarah), Michael Glenn Wiggins; daughters: Cathy Hallman (Tim), Malesa Webb (Glenn), Teresa Gail; five Grandchildren, one great grandchild; brother: Dave Herman; sisters; Alinda Ballard Davis and Sandra Fuller. Preceded in death by his father, Robert Howard Wiggins; Mother and Stepfather: Grace Ward Herman & Milton Herman and a sister Norma Whitler.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday – March 5, 2016 at Warrior Creek Missionary Baptist Church with Brother Mark Jones and Brother Daryl Ross, officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel directing.
Pallbearers will be Tim Hallman, Glenn Webb, Taylor Bennefield, Andrew Webb, Bud Allred and Raymond Swaim.
Honorary Pallbearer will be Bobby Shirl Gober.
Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday – March 4, 2016 at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel.
