William R. Whigham

March 8, 1927 - March 12, 2013

William R. "Bill" Whigham died March 12 at his home in Groves, Texas. He was born in Port Arthur on March 8, 1927 to his parents, J. Frank Whigham and Reba Robinson Whigham. He attended schools in Port Arthur, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High with the Class of 1947 then graduated from Landig Mortuary Science College as a funeral director. He received the 50 year pin for serving 50 years with Texas Funeral Directors Association, and he was also licensed funeral director in Louisiana. He is a veteran from World War II having served in the Marine Corp. Semper fi! He was an active member in the American Legion Unit #7 and the VFW Post 797 with his wife. He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, 2 brothers, Kenneth and Orval, a sister Francis, and one son, Brian Wagner, and his first wife, Iris. He met Evelyn in 1992, and they were married in her mothers church in Lovelady, Texas on Valentines Day. This year they celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary with four heart shaped boxes of chocolates. He is survived by his wife, his daughters are Stephanie and husband, David Marsilia, of Liberty, and Donna Longo of Vidor, his sons, Billy of Houston, Philip and his wife, Laura of Woodville and Jess Wagner of Nederland and his sister-in-law, Virginia Whigham, of Nederland. There are 13 grandchildren with youngest being 18, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Family members gathered 3/8 to fete Bill on his 86th birthday. Visitation will be on Friday, March 15, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. Graveside service will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Woodville with Rev. Brian Harkness, officiating. Arrangements under the direction of Clayton Thompson in Groves and Riley Funeral Home in Woodville.