Willoughby H. Biggs Jr.

     Willoughby H. Biggs Jr. was born on 25 October 1936. He married Becky Ann Setzer on 28 December 1958. He died on 10 May 2017 at age 80; Commander (Ret.) Willoughby Harland Biggs Jr., 80, passed away on May 10, 2017, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 25, 1936, in Crossnore to the late Willoughby Biggs Sr. and Kathleen M. Jessee.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017, at United Presbyterian Church with Steve Austin officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Church. Serving as honorary Pallbearers for the service will be Don Frank, Bill Sullivan, Harry Polly, John Slpe, Henry Tomlinison, Bill Sproul, and Ned Saunders.

CDR Biggs attended the public school system in Hagerstown, Maryland, and attended Lees-McRae Junior College and Appalachian State University, receiving a BS Degree in Secondary Education. He then entered Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island, and was commissioned as an Ensign, United States Naval Reserve, in November of 1959.

From 1959-1962, CDR Biggs served with Guided Missile Service Unit No. 211, Yorktown, Virginia; then reported aboard the USS SARATOGA, CV-60, as Fire Control Office until November 1964. His following two years were spent at Naval School Command, Mare Island, California, where he served as Assistant Officer in charge of Guided Missile School and Command Training Officer.

CDR Biggs was a production supervisor for Corning Glass Works, Martinsburg, West Virginia, until reporting back on active duty in January 1968 on board the USS BOSTON (CG-1), as Missile Battery Officer. After two deployments in Southeast Asia, and brief hospitalization periods, CDR Biggs reported as Commanding officer, Naval Reserve Center, Gainesville, Florida. In May 1974 CDR Biggs reported aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), as Fist Lieutenant and served in this capacity until May 1976. He then reported to the U.S. Naval Station, Mayport, Florida, where he served as Port Service Officer until 1979. CDR Biggs assumed command of Naval Reserve Center, South Charleston, West Virginia, and Naval Reserve Center, Parkersburg, West Virginia, on Nov. 3, 1979.

CDR Biggs has been awarded the Navy Commendation medal for heroic action, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, and other awards and decorations associated with tours in Southeast Asia.

He is survived by his sons, W.H. Biggs III (Lisa) of Marion, Douglas Scott Biggs (Debbie) of Baton, and Eric David Biggs of Lenoir; sister-in-law, Jackie Hannis of Lenoir; grandchildren, Anthony Scoot Biggs (Crystal) of Suffolk, Virginia, W. Harland Biggs IV of Marion, Brittany Stains (Chris) of Granite Falls, and Sarah Vess of Marion; and great-grandchildren, Adrian, Tristen, David, Abby, Andrew, and three on the way.

CDR Biggs was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Ann Biggs; parents, W.H. and Kathleen Biggs; and a daughter, Christie Lyon Biggs.