Wm. "Wilson" Higgs, 73, of Hollywood, MD, passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones at St. Mary's Nursing Center on February 3, 2009 after a long term illness. Born April 1, 1935 in Laurel Grove, MD, he was the son of the late James Roland and Mary Eva Tippett Higgs.

He was the beloved husband of 54 years to Agnes Marie Ferguson Higgs whom he married at St. John's Church in Hollywood, MD.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Jerry Higgs and his wife Diane and his granddaughter Amber of Hollywood, MD as well as his sisters Alberta O'Hara and her husband Butch and Doris E. Dearstine, all of Hollywood, MD as well as several generations of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son David Higgs, brother James "Allie" Higgs and sister Maude Jones.

Higgs, a life-long St. Mary's County resident, was a school bus contractor for St. Mary's County Public School system for over 50 years. A number of those years he personally traveled thousands of miles safely seeing county children and then their children safely to and from school.

In addition to his bus contracting, he was the proprietor of Higgs Enterprises designing and building several single family dwellings in the county. He had a great passion for all things "countian." The son of a farmer, he worked the land and raised cattle. Depending on the season, he loved a good blue crab or oyster. Many a family member learned how to stuff ham under his strict tutelage in the family kitchen. A smile forever graced his face and he had humor like no other. Higgs had a love for good gospel music and had an unshakable faith in his creator.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:30 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, MD. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Dearstine, Troy Ferguson, Tommy Long, David Norris, Donnie Russell and Reese Tippett. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Higgs, Billy Jones, Harry Nelson, Francis Tippett, Michael Wathen and Timmy Wathen.

Contributions may be made to Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad. P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.