William Monroe “Jay” Biggs went home to the Lord at 8:05 a.m. Easter morning in the company and care of his loving family. He resided at River Walk in Plymouth.
Bill was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on August 11, 1929. He was the son of Royal N.R. and Nellie Bell (Young) Biggs.
He attended schools in Mishawaka-Beiger-Mary Phillips, Bingham and Mishawaka High School, receiving his high school diploma on June 4, 1947, while serving in the United States Army, which he had joined on February 4, 1946, at the age of 16.
Bill took his Basic Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was then assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, in the Field Artillery. He held several different positions and then served in the Survey Section of the Headquarters Battery. As an instrument man, he attained the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged from the Army on August 4, 1947.
On October 16, 1948, in Mishawaka, Bill and Marilyn J. McClure were married. His jobs included the South Bend Lathe Works, the South Bend Supply Co., and the Reliable Dairy Company. In 1961, he leased a standard Oil Service Station known as Bill’s Service Center on the corner of Edwardsburg Ave. and Michigan Road in Elkhart, which he operated until 1978.
He then opened the Jefferson Auto Service in Plymouth, which he operated until his retirement in 1996.
Highly respected, Bill was known by his customers as being an ardent and fair business man.
The family lived at Lawrence Lake in Plymouth for 28 years before moving to the River Walk Community in Plymouth in 2008.
A great outdoorsman, he loved spending time with nature. He spent many years fishing and hunting, including deer and black bear with a bow and arrow.
He was a member of the Pretty Lake Trinity Methodist Church for over 30 years.
Bill is survived by his wife Marilyn who remained at his side and his children Betty Kay (Robert) Eley of Argos, Charles Jay (Christine) Biggs of Plymouth, and William “Gene” (Karen) Biggs of South Bend. Two grandsons; John “Jay” (Amy) Biggs and son Reisler and Ryan (Jenny) Biggs and son Colin also survive.
He was preceded by his parents, a brother, Edward R. Biggs and two sisters; Ruby I. Biggs and Kay Beckett.
Visitation will be held in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 North Michigan St., Plymouth, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, from 4 to 8 p.m. and for one hour prior to funeral services at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, in the funeral home. The Rev. Tamara Boggs, pastor of the Pretty Lake Church, will officiate. Interment with Military Honors provided by members of the Plymouth American Legion Post 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Marshall County Post 1162 and the D.A.V. will be in the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to the Pretty Lake Church or to the Center for Hospice Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
Jim Barkdull says
I was very sorry to read of Bill\’s passing. He was my mechanic, my customer and most of all my friend.
I will miss him.
Dale & Dorothy Heflick says
Marilyn and family, so sorry to hear of Bill\’s passing, he was a great person and always so friendly. Praying for all of you at this time.
Mary Ann Perrine says
Chuck and family….I am so sorry to hear of your dad\’s passing. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jane Schmidt says
Dear Marilyn,
I am so sorry to hear about Bill\’s passing. My mom and dad (Pauline and Don Schmidt) and you and Bill were such good friends. Now they must be celebrating in heaven )as Dad passed in December of 2012). May the Lord comfort you in this time.
Love and prayers,
Jane Schmidt
Dennis Graf says
Marilyn, Betty Kay, Chuck and Gene
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Jay. I have alot of childhood memories of your entire family.
Jay was a good father and a good neighbor who was always there to help other people around him.
I always thought of Jay as a strong man with a good heart.
Barbara K Brunk (Bobbie) says
So sorry for your loss. Bill took care of my car for years and was so good, honest, and capable. He will be missed by so many.
Donna Palbykin says
We are so sad to hear the news of Bill\’s passing. He was such a honest man & a great neighbor & will be missed by many !!! Al & I send our love & deepest sympathy. We are so sorry we can\’t make it back to Indiana for the funeral, but our hearts will be there with you all.
Much Love, Al & Donna Palbykin
Chuck & Marilee Johnson says
Dear Marilyn and Your Family,
Chuck and I are sadden by the passing of Bill!! He was a tremendous man and we wish, so much we could be there to Celebrate his Life with YOU! Chuck and I are in Florida or you can be sure! We would be there!
Love,
Chuck and Marilee Johnson
Cindy (McVicker) Noah says
It has been several years since i have seen jay ..he was a very good man my son and i spent a few holidays with him and his wonderful family..my deepest sympathy to the family my prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Jim Chamberlin says
Marilyn,Chuck,BettyKay and Gene……Our prayers are continuously with You!!!
Our Love,
Jim Chamberlin
Pamela Sharpe
Karen (Green) Marciniak says
So sorry to hear about Jay. He was one of the kindest persons I have ever known. I have the best memories of fireworks on the 4th of July, the lake cottage and the good times mom & dad shared with him. May the wonderful memories of him help to comfort you.
Steve and Sherri Sharpe says
We are so sorry for the loss of your dad. Our thoughts and prayers for your family.
Connie Kleckner says
Marilyn, so sorry to read about Bill\’s passing.
Jim Barkdull says
I was very sorry to read of Bill\’s passing. He was my mechanic, my customer and most of all my friend.
I will miss him.
Dale & Dorothy Heflick says
Marilyn and family, so sorry to hear of Bill\’s passing, he was a great person and always so friendly. Praying for all of you at this time.
Mary Ann Perrine says
Chuck and family….I am so sorry to hear of your dad\’s passing. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jane Schmidt says
Dear Marilyn,
I am so sorry to hear about Bill\’s passing. My mom and dad (Pauline and Don Schmidt) and you and Bill were such good friends. Now they must be celebrating in heaven )as Dad passed in December of 2012). May the Lord comfort you in this time.
Love and prayers,
Jane Schmidt
Dennis Graf says
Marilyn, Betty Kay, Chuck and Gene
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Jay. I have alot of childhood memories of your entire family.
Jay was a good father and a good neighbor who was always there to help other people around him.
I always thought of Jay as a strong man with a good heart.
Barbara K Brunk (Bobbie) says
So sorry for your loss. Bill took care of my car for years and was so good, honest, and capable. He will be missed by so many.
Donna Palbykin says
We are so sad to hear the news of Bill\’s passing. He was such a honest man & a great neighbor & will be missed by many !!! Al & I send our love & deepest sympathy. We are so sorry we can\’t make it back to Indiana for the funeral, but our hearts will be there with you all.
Much Love, Al & Donna Palbykin
Chuck & Marilee Johnson says
Dear Marilyn and Your Family,
Chuck and I are sadden by the passing of Bill!! He was a tremendous man and we wish, so much we could be there to Celebrate his Life with YOU! Chuck and I are in Florida or you can be sure! We would be there!
Love,
Chuck and Marilee Johnson
Cindy (McVicker) Noah says
It has been several years since i have seen jay ..he was a very good man my son and i spent a few holidays with him and his wonderful family..my deepest sympathy to the family my prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Jim Chamberlin says
Marilyn,Chuck,BettyKay and Gene……Our prayers are continuously with You!!!
Our Love,
Jim Chamberlin
Pamela Sharpe
Karen (Green) Marciniak says
So sorry to hear about Jay. He was one of the kindest persons I have ever known. I have the best memories of fireworks on the 4th of July, the lake cottage and the good times mom & dad shared with him. May the wonderful memories of him help to comfort you.
Steve and Sherri Sharpe says
We are so sorry for the loss of your dad. Our thoughts and prayers for your family.
Connie Kleckner says
Marilyn, so sorry to read about Bill\’s passing.