John Julius Wiggins, 86, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, October 17, 2013, at Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla.
Memorial services will be held 4 PM, Sunday, October 20, 2013, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Ash and the Rev. Dr. Mike Ruffin officiating. Eulogies will be given by Robert Sherrell, Joe Griggers, and Captain Phil Thomas. The family will receive friends following the service.
Mr. Wiggins was born May 12, 1927, in Irwin County, to the late John Lennon Wiggins and Alice Merritt Wiggins Cantrell. He attended Fitzgerald City Schools and graduated in 1944 from Fitzgerald High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II after graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Pass Christian, Mississippi. Mr. Wiggins owned and operated the Tastee-Freez from 1963-1973. He worked for the United States Postal Service for 44 years, retiring as Postmaster in 1992. He worked on the Postal Inspection Team for the State of Georgia. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Youth Sunday school administrator. Mr. Wiggins attended the Fitzgerald Church of the Nazarene.
Mr. Wiggins was an active community-minded person having been a charter member and former chairman of the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Department of Leisure Services Board of Directors. He was a founding member and past president of the Fitzgerald Athletic Booster Club and served as Secretary-Treasurer for over 60 years. Mr. Wiggins was president of the Fitzgerald Jaycees when Jaycee Stadium was built for Fitzgerald High School. He was an active member of the Colony Squares Squaredance Club. He enjoyed socializing with his Breakfast Club friends, fishing, sports, going to the beach, and being with his family. Mr. Wiggins was honored with our community’s highest award, the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2009.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years: Elsie J. Wiggins of Fitzgerald; three daughters and their husbands: Gina Wiggins of Fitzgerald, Laura & Roger Norris of Fitzgerald, and Lisa & Todd Stanfill of Phenix City, Alabama; a granddaughter: Anslee Stanfill; one step-son: Robbiet & Kenia McCarty of Fitzgerald; a step-grandson: William McCarty; a brother: Homer Wiggins of Ft. Pierce, Florida; and the mother of his children: Louise T. Guardia of Fitzgerald.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to any Parkinson’s Disease Research Foundation or the Hospice of your choice.