William C. (Bill) Higgins

William C. (Bill) Higgins, age 86, of Elkhart, Kansas died Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Morton County Hospital, Elkhart, Kansas. He was born October 4, 1928 in Morton County, Kansas, the son of Clarence and Lily (Johnson) Higgins.

Bill was a lifetime resident of Morton County. He was a graduate of Rolla High School and served in the U.S. Army. He was a Well Coordinator for Panhandle Eastern. Bill was active in the Elkhart community. He served on the Elkhart City Council from 1974-1976, served on the Elkhart Cemetery Board and was the Mayor of Elkhart, Kansas from 1991-1997. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Elkhart, Kansas. Bill sang at many weddings and funerals. He enjoyed hosting Duster Baseball players and foreign exchange students from Germany.

On May 7, 1950, Bill married Twila Mae James in Rolla, Kansas. She preceded him in death on November 24, 1998.

Survivors include one son; Billy Higgins and wife Mary Ann of Shawnee, Oklahoma, two daughters; Joni Pierce of Eldorado, Kansas and Leslie Parkhurst and husband Mike of Guymon, Oklahoma, two brothers; Gene Higgins of Elkhart, Kansas and Jack Higgins of Rolla, Kansas, three sisters; Lola Chambers of Valley Falls, Kansas, Jewell Burrows of Hugoton, Kansas and Dorothy Milburn-Steele and husband Todd of Scott City, Kansas, 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Bill is also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; LeRoy Higgins and Ernie Higgins and three sisters; Violet Galligher, Opal Erickson and Isabel Perry.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Elkhart, Kansas with Reverend Dennis Reimer presiding. Burial will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery, Elkhart, Kansas. Friends may call on Friday, March 20, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Garnand Funeral Home, Elkhart, Kansas. Family requests memorials be given to the United Methodist Church, Elkhart, Kansas, Whistle Stop Park or the Morton County Museum all in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 854, Elkhart, Kansas 67950.