William Allen Monroe

William Allen Monroe, better known as “Bill” or “Wilbo,” was born July 20th, 1959, and passed on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024. Bill passed peacefully surrounded by his children at UMMC in Jackson, Mississippi. After battling numerous health issues, Bill is now comfortably resting, reunited eternally with his wife, Jean Higginbotham. To say that Bill and Jean were a passionate couple would be a severe understatement. His family takes comfort knowing that he’s no longer mourning her—but reunited with her.

Born in Waco, Texas, Bill enjoyed a lively and rebellious childhood with his parents Kenneth and Sybil Monroe and his brothers Bruce and Charlie Monroe. Like a true child of the 60s, Bill lived his life with an adventurous, open-minded, and rebellious spirit. He was an avid lover and collector of art and music—and the weirder it was, the better. Bill was a lover of music and art that defied norms and wasn’t always easily categorized—much like himself. He took every opportunity to attend concerts, eagerly seeking any chance to listen to live music. Although he was known to skip class to see shows, the equally vivacious and rebellious teenage Bill still poured himself into his studies, graduating from Richfield High School in Waco, Texas in 1977. He then went on to study Horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating with his Bachelor of Horticulture in 1982.

While studying at Stephen F. Austin State University, Bill discovered a love far greater than his love of music: the love of his life, Jean Higginbotham. Bill was known to fondly recount the tale of the time he first set eyes on Jean. He spotted her across a crowded room and was instantly mesmerized; he then asked his friend, “Who is she? And is she single?” Bill managed to win over Jean’s heart and the two fell quickly in love. Bill supported Jean’s goals and encouraged her to pursue bigger and better things. He even sold his sailboat and his beloved stereo system so that he could help Jean with the cost of tuition, ensuring that she finished her degree. Six months later, on October 4th, 1980, the two were married in a small, quaint ceremony beneath the shade of an oak tree in Crawford, Texas. Shortly after their first year of college and being married, Bill and Jean started a family, having two boys: Aaron and Adam. Within four years, the small family left Texas and moved to Starkville, Mississippi, where Bill began a career at Mississippi State University as an Electron Microscopist. After moving to Starkville, twin sons Mark and Matthew were born. Although he had his hands full raising and providing for four boys, Bill continued in his fervent support of Jean and encouraged her to pursue a master’s degree. Bill wanted Jean to make a career for herself and excel in her field; he was persistent that she put herself first, live her life to the fullest, and never settle as a stay-at-home mom.

In addition to supporting Jean, Bill was also an integral part in their children’s lives, doing his best to instill honor and integrity in each son. He instilled in his children his love for nature by teaching them to be stewards of the Earth. He taught them everything he knew about gardening and beekeeping—including how to treat bee stings after numerous, unforgettable stings to his nose and face. Bill taught his boys the value of hard, honest work; he often spent his weekends driving them around town with lawn equipment so that they could save up money by operating an unofficial lawncare business. This led Bill and the Monroe boys to start providing landscaping services to Trinity Presbyterian Church where the family went on to become members. Bill also instilled a love of camping and outdoors in his children—taking every opportunity to take them on a camping trip. When his children joined the Boy Scouts, Bill became the Assistant Scoutmaster for the local group, Troop 27. Bill further instilled a love for nature and wildlife by taking his boys on numerous duck hunting expeditions. Friends and family alike recount the ways in which Bill glowed with child-like glee while hiding in a duck blind.

Bill also shared a love for travel with his family. During his career at MSU, he eagerly took on the role of organizing Electron Microscopy conferences. Although these were work trips, Bill would always bring his family along to the conferences in Pensacola, Florida; this became a yearly family vacation, along with their memorable trips to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Bill’s hard work as an Electron Microscopist led to numerous publications, which oftentimes led to more travel opportunities—such as the conference he attended in Japan. However, Bill’s favorite travel destination was Hawaii—a place he never took his children—only Jean. The couple embarked on several romantic getaways to Hawaii over the years. On one occasion, with Jean’s blessing, Bill was allowed to travel to Kuaii, his favorite island, to camp by the beach. Bill’s last great adventure was on a trip to Ireland in 2019 with his 2 eldest sons. Bill took his rebellious and vivacious spirit with him, as he ordered an Irish Car Bomb at a pub in Cork, Ireland. That didn’t exactly go over well with the locals, but Bill managed to charm his way through the sticky predicament, narrowly escaping the wrath of many angry Irish lads. Bill never failed to charm everyone he met.

After nearly 28 years working at Mississippi State University, Bill made the move to Little Rock, Arkansas in 2013. Bill began a new position as a Biologist in an electron microscopy facility at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. A motivating factor for this career change was to afford his wife Jean the opportunity to retire early after 25 years of work in public education. Bill retired in 2016, and he and Jean used their time in retirement to travel to Arkansas parks together, enjoying their shared love of nature, as well as having silly arguments. Bill always found ways to rile Jean up, despite his unwavering love and devotion to her. The two fought with each other just as hard as they loved each other. In their final years, Bill used his fighting spirit for Jean in a new way, supporting her through a devastating cancer diagnosis. He drove her out-of-state and made numerous trips back and forth to M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas to ensure that his soulmate had the best treatment possible. Jean’s passing in 2020 was an Earthshattering loss that Bill never recovered from. Heartbroken, he did his best to keep pushing himself along in his final years without his soulmate. He remained stubborn as a mule till the very end, fighting hard to keep the promise he made to Jean: to take care of their boys. He moved back to Starkville in 2022 to live closer to his sons and friends. During his final days, he was surrounded by close friends and family.

William “Bill” Monroe was preceded in death by his grandmother Mildred Williams; his parents Kenneth and Sybil Monroe; his Step-Father Bob Brashear; and his beloved wife Jean Higginbotham. Bill is survived in death by his brothers Bruce and Charlie Monroe; his sons Aaron (Erica) Monroe, Adam (Rachel) Monroe, Mark (Amber) Monroe, and Matthew Monroe; his grandson Ian Jacob Obtinalla Monroe; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Bill also leaves behind a large network of cherished friends, colleagues, church family, and Jean’s beloved dachshund, Meeka. The family will hold a private memorial at a later date; details for the memorial will be shared privately with family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund for Troop 27 of Boy Scouts has been created in honor of Bill. Donations can be sent via check or Venmo. For Venmo donations, please send payments to @Adam-Monroe-15. If you would like to send a check, please make checks payable to BSA Troop 27 and deliver them to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 607 Hospital Road, Starkville, Mississippi, 37957.