Clyde Higgins' Obituary
Clyde Barry “Bill” Higgins passed from this life to his eternal home in heaven at 10:07 AM, Sunday, August 28, 2016. He was 77 years old. Bill was born February 21, 1939 near Stillwell, Oklahoma, in the Lyons Community of Adair County, Oklahoma to Clyde Brown Higgins and Cynthia Jane (Perry) Higgins.
Higgins attended Cave Springs schools where he graduated from High School in 1957. In 1959 he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Waco, Texas. During his stent in the Air Force he was an aerial photographer and news journalist. He received an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1962. While in the Air Force he received a good conduct medal and a commendation medal. He enrolled at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma later in 1962 and in 1966 graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Education with an emphasis in History. His Masters was obtained at Pittsburg State University where he was a member of Phi Alpha Theta (history honors fraternity) as well as the Historical Research Award.
After graduation with his Bachelors, he was hired in 1966 by Seneca Public Schools as a 5th grade teacher and elementary boys’ basketball coach. He eventually moved to the high school where he taught various history and civic classes as well as sociology. After 28 years at Seneca, he retired in May of 1994. The first day Bill was employed for Seneca School System, in 1966, he met Virginia Maxine Holmes during playground duty. They married November 22, 1969 at the First Christian Church in Commerce. They lived in Commerce the first two years of their marriage then moved to Seneca, Missouri. They lived in Seneca from August, 1971 until May,1974 before returning to Commerce, Oklahoma where they lived the remainder of their married life.
Bill is survived by one daughter and her husband, Paula and David Tedlock of Commerce, OK, one grandson Blake Tedlock of Lawrence, Kansas, one brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Joyce Higgins of rural Miami, several nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends. Higgins was preceded in death by his wife and parents, one brother John Higgins and two sisters Betty Parker and Beryl Dowell.
Bill hobbies included hunting, fishing, attending any activity involving his only grandchild Blake, and studying God’s word. He loved his Lord and Savior, his family, and his country. Bill not only had a great deal of pride for the country he served but found it an honor and privilege to serve. He was a long time elder at the First Christian Church in Commerce Oklahoma until it closed. He joined the First Christian Church in Miami where he was a faithful member of the church as well as the Sooner Sunday School Class until his death.
Pallbearers are: Dr. Steve Grigsby, Bob Evans, John Hadley, Larry Gatewood, Bob Asbell, and Warren Brumley. Honorary Pallbearers are: Men from the Sooner Sunday School Class. In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations are made in Bill Higgins memory to the Miracle Day Fund at First Christian Church of Miami.
Visitation is 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami.
Services are 11:00 AM at First Christian Church on Thursday, September 1, 2016 with Brian Brubaker, Bill Ritchey, and Danny Garner officiating. Interment will follow at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami. Military Honors will be provided by the Tinker Air force Base Honor Guard. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Bill’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.
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