B. July 22, 1940 – D. November 4, 2019
William Dalton Higgs, age 79, passed peacefully at Alexandra Marine & General Hospital in Goderich on November 4, 2019. Fittingly, he was surrounded by his loving family. William (Bill) is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years and best friend, Judith (Smith), his three children Gavin Higgs, Trevor and Brenda Higgs, and Tara and Jeff O’Hagan, and by his six grandchildren, William, Stephanie, Tyler, Jacob, Claire, and Craig.
Bill was a modest man who led an extraordinary, impactful life. He was a devoted family man, a lifelong educator, learner, leader, builder, outdoor adventurer, and coach. He was a polymath with a broad range of interests and enthusiasms, who could offer informed insights and opinions to match, rarely shying away from a spirited debate. He was known for his sly wit and generous spirit.
Bill’s academic career began at Lakefield College School where he excelled at hockey and football and graduated as football team captain and Head Boy. Bill’s habit of forming life long friendships and a life of service can be traced to his time at The Grove, where his naval career began as a cadet, and continued into his thirties when he retired from the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.
After Lakefield, Bill enrolled at Huron College at UWO where he met Judith and started what ultimately became a very successful courtship. Bill subsequently embarked on a rewarding 32 year high school teaching and coaching career in Peterborough, and London, most memorably at A.B. Lucas S.S. and Clarke Road S.S. During his early years in London, with a young and growing family, Bill somehow managed to complete his Masters in Education (MEd). Many students and athletes benefitted from Bill’s dedicated teaching, mentorship, and coaching. He was a leader and competitor by example, always emphasizing team unity, individual character, and adherence to the rules and fair play. He coached numerous hockey and football teams to conference, and provincial championship titles, and he went on to help shape the development of the game and arbitrate the rules of Ontario high school hockey as OFSSA Convenor during much of the 80’s.
Bill was an accomplished woodsman, canoeist, and an environmentalist, respectful of the natural world long before conservation became as popular and imperative as it is today. For decades, he sought fun and adventure exploring Ontario’s remote and beautiful wilderness lakes and rivers, while kibitzing with his dear friends on their annual canoe trip. The enduring friendships forged between those men and their spouses became central to countless good times as couples and served as pillars of strength in Judith and Bill’s lives.
Bill was happiest when surrounded by his family. This was especially evident during the big holidays and later in retirement whenever he was in the presence of any or all of his and Judith’s three children and six adoring grandchildren. His love and patience was endless, and time was spent exploring his well-tended gardens and fruit trees, tutoring, playing kids games, and bestowing silly nicknames. He was always interested in anything that engaged their curious young minds, from preschool through university.
Bill was community-minded, and generous with his time and fundraising efforts in support of various initiatives such as the Bayfield Public Library, and the Goderich Hospital where he served on the Foundation Board. Bill was a proud Canadian and patriot, and despite the effects of late stage Lewy Body Dementia, on October 21 Bill had the clarity of thought and sense of civic duty to knowingly cast his ballot in the last Federal election.
The Higgs Family wishes to acknowledge and sincerely thank Dr. Michael Dawson and the entire team of doctors, nurses, and skilled heath care professionals at Alexandra Marine & General Hospital for their hard work, dedication and above all, their compassion for the duration of Bill’s illness.
An open memorial service will be held at Trinity Anglican Church in Bayfield at 2:00PM on Sunday, November 10. A Celebration of Life in Bill’s honour will be held at a date to be announced in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Huron County www.alzheimer.ca
Shared by Margaret and Bill Albrecht
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Jane Davidson
Dear judith, I thought I did this yesterday! No matter – it doesn’t change your own situation, which is one of grief right now. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you on Bills day. As a family man, I think he might appreciate knowing in his new life, that I was celebrating my great grand daughters first birthday in Montreal at that very day. Hugs, Judith to you and your children who will make this time pass for you. Grief never takes a break as I well know. I. Call it the monkey on my shoulder that never goes away, always ready to pop up and remind one of happier days.
Falle Michael
My family has many, many great memories of Bill and the rest of the Higgs family from our time as next-door neighbors in London, on Milford Crescent (from January 1980 to November 1985). To Judith, Gavin, Trevor, Tara and everyone else in their respective families – I am truly very sorry for your loss and I want you all to know there is a special place in my heart for Bill. He was truly one of a kind – and one of the great ones!!!
Ann Morin
Judith and family,
My sincere condolences as you mourn the loss of a devoted husband, father and grandfather. I have many fond memories of happy times together, especially at Grand Bend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you go through the painful time of grieving and as you honour Bills life and his legacy.
sharyn and Rob Teasdale
Dear Judith and Family,
How lucky we were to have known Bill as our wonderful Bayfield neighbour. We are so sad he is gone and will forever remember his kindness and unique charm. He will be missed by many.
Our sympathies to you all.
Sharyn, Rob, Julia and Cameron Teasdale
Gavin and Kirsten Wort
Our sincerest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father. May the wonderful family memories you have help to ease your sadness during this time.
Sharlene & Andre Lavalliere
With great sadness our hearts go out to the entire Higgs family.
Such a great man and great loss.
May he be whole again ..watch over you and cheer you on in your future endeavors
Lots of love
Shirley Smith
Dear Judith and family,
We are saddened to learn of Bill’s death. We have fond memories of our interactions with Bill , both at family reunions and
when visiting with you in Bayfield. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Deryk and Shirley Smith
Bob Campbell
Judith,
Carole and I want to express our condolences to you on Bill’s passing. Although I did not have the opportunity to work directly with Bill during our careers with the London Board of Education, everyone knew about his commitment to excellence and the positive influence he had on his students. On a personal note, our sons had the good fortune to have Bill as a football coach where as parents we saw that positive influence firsthand.
Bob & Carole Campbell
Margaret and Bill Albrecht
Dear Judith, Gavin, Trevor, Brenda, Tara, Jeff and grandchildren.
We would like to express our sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather.
The picture was taken Aug. 10th, 2014, good times with dear friends.
Leah Hachey
Judith,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family on Bill’s passing. Bill always had on his Happy Face; surely from the great care you gave him.
We are thinking of you.
Leah and Bob Murray
John & Sandy Dixon
Judith & Family,
We were so saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. John enjoyed working with him at Lucas. Our sincere condolences.
John & Kathleen Siertsema
Judith: John & I extend our sincere sympathy to you on the loss of Bill. You were a wonderful care giver to Bill and he will be missed by so many. Our thoughts and sympathy go to you and your family at this time. John & Kathleen Siertsema
Jim & Joan Stewart
Dear Judith and family:
We were deeply saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. He was a great man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Please accept our condolences. We will be thinking of you on November 10.
Jim & Joan Stewart
Mike Tew
Higsy was my Lucas HS senior footballer coach. I always felt that he controlled the team but allowed me to call plays as quarterback if I saw something that I thought would work. He was a backyard neighbor and after high school graduation Elmer(his high school nickname) set up eucre nights at his place,usually on a night when Judy was out doing something else! Badly Bent was a regular as was Toms and Brian Liska. Great fun!
My favorite memory is when Lucas played Laurier in the east championship. We had a third and one and were going for it. I ran over to the sideline to ask ask coach what play he wanted to run. His response was ” do what you think “! We scored on the next play and I never forgot the trust he gave me in a crucial situation.
I know all the guys from those Lucas days join me in expressing our sincere condolences to Judy and family. We loved him and hope that he is peaceful now and will be reunited with those closest to him in the future.
Respectfully,
Mike Tew
Shirley Lowes
Dear Judith,
So many memories have been flooding my mind over these last days, starting in 1962 when you introduced me to your future husband. How would we have known that we would share this long life. Watching each other’s lives enfold with so many changes and challenges and the constant joy of spending time together.Your Bill was like an annoying brother to me and we had such fun debating as you know. He was very special to me. I share your sadness but am grateful for all Bill added to my life. You were smart to pick him. Love to you, and your dear Family Shirl ( bridesmaid)
Kevin Livingstone
Coach Higgs was teacher & a mentor. Enjoyed playing for him at Lucas. God rest his soul.
Ken “Zede” Eady
“Elmer” as we called him at Lucas was a huge influence in my life. He was my senior football coach for three years at Lucas as well as my teacher over five years. Under his guidance we won the City Football Championship in 1973. It was Lucas’ first football championship. However his biggest influence in my life was not on the field or classroom but in the physical education office. One day, in a not too subtle way, he told me I was out of shape, becoming a drunk, and would never make it to university if I kept up this lifestyle. You see, I was working under age as a bouncer at the time and was enjoying the job a little too much. I walked out of that office, more likely ran out, and all I could think of was the fact he said I would not go to university. Nobody had suggested I would go to university. He believed I could. I didn’t hear the other comments. The next year we won the championship, I was accepted into university, received three degrees from Western and like Bill, taught for 31 years. As a former teacher you wonder if we have an influence on students. Yes, we do. It was Bill and Badly who not only shaped but gave me the life I have today. I think of him often and smile at the memories. My favourite two lines of Elmer’s were, “ you’re playing flatter than piss on a plate, and you’re playing like your thumbs are in your bums and your minds are in neutral.” He shaped so many lives and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Bill’s family should be extremely proud of the man Bill was.
Doreen McConnell
Judith & Family
My deepest sympathy goes to you Judith and all your family. I know your wonderful memories of Bill will sustain you all during this difficult time.
Thinking of you,
Doreen McConnell
Christine Morin Higgs
Dear Judith, Gavin, Trevor & Tara,
It is hard to write in a such a short all the memories I have with Bill that filled my heart with happiness and love. Always accepting, welcoming with open arms, non-judgmental, encouraging, a cheerleader, a mentor.
As a Papa to Will and Stephanie, he guided, listened, and made Bayfield a special and warm home to them, their second home as Judith would echo.
I remember his big smile when all his children and grandchildren would gather in Bayfield around the Harvest table. He felt blessed.
I know the ache you are feeling in your hearts and souls right now, but may these memories lift them Love to you all,
Christine
Joy Yates
Well done wonderful man! I am grateful for the laughter and joys we shared. My heartfelt sorrow to Judith and family. He will be missed. Peace.
Joy
Johanna Steegstra
To Judith and family,
My sincere condolences to you in the loss of your dear husband, father and grandfather .
Bill was a true gentleman who lived a full life filled with love and care to all who knew him.
Johanna Steegstra