Howell Ernest “Wig” Wiggins, Jr., 83, of Fresno, California, passed away suddenly on March 13, 2025, after a brief illness. His loss was unexpected and his family and friends are profoundly saddened.
Wig was born on December 15, 1941, in Alameda, California. His father Howell was a native of Oklahoma and his mother Elizabeth hailed from Wisconsin. At the time Wig entered this world, his father was a lieutenant in the United States Navy Medical Corps who would go on to serve aboard the battleship West Virginia in World War II. After the war, Wig’s parents made San Diego their home, where Wig and his brother Paul were immersed in the sunshine and the sea. Wig’s love of the Pacific Ocean never left him.
Wig graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University in 1964, and enrolled in the Dental Medicine Program at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree in 1969. After graduation, he served his country for two years as an Officer in the United States Navy Dental Corps in San Diego.
In 1971, Wig made a career decision that altered his life forever: He undertook a Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, earning Chief Resident status in his final year. Upon completion of his Residency in 1974, he went to work for Fresno Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, where he became a partner and practiced as a board-certified oral surgeon until his retirement in 2012. Throughout his career he was a dedicated surgeon and mentor; respected by his colleagues, appreciative of his office staff, and loved by his patients. He had many lifelong friends.
Wig met his wife Sharron in Fresno in 1976, and they married ten months later in 1977. A devoted husband for the next 48 years, Wig and Sharron shared a bond of love with Wig’s three children—Julie, Michael and Karen—and Sharron’s girls— Marlena and Kimberly—that was an inspiration to all who knew them. Together, Wig and Sharron shared a deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In retirement, Wig’s life was as full as ever. He played golf, enjoyed boating, rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles, collected and showed hot rods, and traveled with Sharron. He was a President of San Joaquin Country Club, a member of the Pharoahs Car Club, and played drums in a band. He and Sharron loved hosting family and friends at their annual, month-long summer vacations at the seashore in Morro Bay and Carmel.
A perfectionist at heart, Wig reveled in the challenges of every endeavor: From performing oral surgery on trauma cases early in his career; to the years-long construction of a museum-quality railway that delighted his grandchildren; to the proud moment when he achieved his first solo flight; if something caught his eye, Wig was all in.
A great talker, advice giver, loving husband, adoring father and grandfather, Wig was never at a loss for words. He loved to share a story. In times of trouble, he was always present with encouragement and a guiding hand. He had no vices, except lobster and pecan pie. Wig’s easy-going kindness touched many lives; he is already sorely missed.
Wig was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Howell E. Wiggins, Sr., and Elizabeth Wiggins of San Diego, and his brother Paul Wiggins, and granddaughter Amanda Brown. He is survived by his companion, friend, and loving wife, Sharron, and his five children: Marlena Silva and her husband Roy of Fresno; Julie Brown and her husband Bill of Los Alamitos; Kimberly Soares and her husband Darren of Washington State; Dr. Michael Wiggins and his wife Jolie of Fresno; and Karen Ray and her husband Mark Canepa of Fresno. He is also survived by his grandchildren, all of whom he loved deeply: Dr. Patrick Brown, Erin Brown, Lindsay Soares, Maverick Silva, Andy Ray, Jackson Soares, Douglas Brown, Montana Silva, Lauren Ray, Emily Brown and Henry Wiggins. His first greatgrandchild, Hugh Brown, arrived in this world only recently, in 2024.
A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, located at 355 East Champlain Drive, Fresno, CA 93730. The Mass will be immediately followed by a Celebration of His Life at nearby Fort Washington Country Club, located at 10272 North Millbrook Avenue, Fresno, CA 93730.
