William (Bill) Paul Wiggins

William Paul (Bill) Wiggins, age 74, of Gatesville, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at a local nursing center. Funeral Services will be held at 9:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at Scott’s Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Bates officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Bill was born on March 20, 1937 to the late Walter Lane Wiggins and Naoma Blanchard Wiggins. He was raised in Mound, Texas and attended school in Flat and Gatesville. He was a proud graduate of the Gatesville High School Class of 1955. He married Barbara Collins on August 1, 1959. They made their home and raised their children in Gatesville. Bill worked for Coca-Cola and Deck Boat for many years before becoming a Civil Service Fireman. He worked as a Fireman at several different stations at Ft. Hood retiring as Station Captain in 1993. Bill joined the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department on Oct 1 1968, serving in1969 as Sgt at Arms, was the 1970 Firefighter of the Year, in 1971-1973, was 2nd Asst. Chief. from 1974-1975 was Asst Foreman, and from 1976-1977 was the Training Officer. He was placed on the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department Honor Roll in Oct 1982. Bill is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Barbara Wiggins of Gatesville; children, Billye Rhudy and husband Sam of Gatesville, Paula Adkins and husband Dale of Gatesville, and Paul Wiggins and wife Shannon of China Spring; grandchildren, Ben Rhudy and fiance Viktoria Meadows, Jordan Rhudy, Kaleb Hitt and wife Whisper, Brady Wiggins, and Heather Adkins; brother in law, Dick Collins and wife Carolyn, and sisters in law, Wanda Shelton, Viola Vanjoski and husband Rick, Alice Collins and Kathy Collins; cousins, Mike Blanchard, Charles Blanchard, Joy Wittie, and Barbara McNeil; many nieces and nephews; and too many friends to count. In Lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorials be made to the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department or VistaCare Hospice.