Obituary of Harold Higgins

Harold W. Higgins Harold W. Higgins, 82, passed away May 5, 2013, at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, MO. He was born in rural Jerico Springs, MO, to Carrol Jay and Elsie (Burke) Higgins. Bill married Mary Ann Vest, October 23, 1955, in Indiana. One child, Renee, was born to this union. Harold was a farmer. They lived and worked his great grandfather's farm near Jerico Springs, MO. Bill was a true "family farmer". He had registered polled Herefords and milked Holsteins. Bill crossed a new variety of watermelons which he sold by the truckloads. Later he sold apples by the truck loads, as well as tomatoes. He crossed and raised a new variety of roses. After moving to town, his home stood apart from others with his special roses. Bill loved to garden, raising lots of produce to share with his neighbors and friends. He loved to fish. Every winter they would go to Texas to fish. He enjoyed eating all the fish he could catch. Bill was also an avid baseball fan. He was a Christian man of the Baptist faith. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; Glenn, Oren, Gale, J.B and Ray Higgins. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, of the home; daughter Renee Pennell; two grandchildren, Ravin and Patrick Pennell; sister, June Miles; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.