Melvin "Burly" Bigham

Born August 22, 1933, to Will Kit (W.K.) and Myrtest Mae (Foster) Bigham, Burly was the youngest of ten children and the beloved twin brother of Melba Eugenia Holland who currently lives in Willis, Texas. He grew up in a close-knit family where he learned the value of hard work, loyalty and humor – traits he carried with him throughout his life.

Burly was a devoted husband to Fern (McCathern), his wife of 72 years. Together they built a life rooted in love and family, raising five children, Steve (Sherry) Bigham, Bill (Kathy) Bigham, Belinda Jackson, Cindy (Rick) Murdock and Lori (Tom) Heald, thirty Grandchildren, forty-two Great Grandchildren, three Great Great Grandchildren.

As the patriarch of this tribe of 85, his love for his family was evident. He attended numerous sporting events for his children and grandchildren, enjoyed family vacations (especially when they involved fishing), attended his fair share of family reunions, enjoyed playing 42 and 84 in dominos and could sing bass with the best of them!

Burly loved God, was baptized into Christ in his early 30’s and led others to the Lord. For many years, he served as a Deacon and later as an Elder at Sunrise Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. His faith was strong, and it never wavered even as he experienced serious heart issues and related health troubles.

With such a large family, Burly carried many nicknames; Pops, Papaw, Papa, Big Sissy, the Bionic Man (from his double knee, double shoulder and double hip replacements); however, his favorite nickname he gave to himself – “Squirrelly Burly” which he liked because it rhymed and ironically it was quite fitting when his health started to decline and he sat and shelled pecans almost every day!

Born and raised in Lefors, Texas, Burly’s vocation became housemoving at a young age. He worked with his father and brothers who formed W.K. Bigham & Sons Housemoving from around 1941 to 1980 when Burly ventured out with son, Bill, into concrete construction forming M.E. Bigham Construction and later Bigham Housemoving. Over the years, Burly was involved in the move of hundreds of structures across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado including many of the buildings at the National Ranching Heritage Center Museum in Lubbock, Texas, taking special pride in moving the three-story Barton House from near Cotton Center to its current location at the museum. Burly retired at the age of 86, after a stellar housemoving career spanning 78 years had taken its toll on him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers, Clarence, Tead, Gerrel and L.C., and four of five sisters, Willie Mae McElroy, Wonnie Smith, Peggy Winegeart and Fay Wilson.

A visitation will be held on Monday evening, June 2, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park and a celebration of life will be held on Tuesday morning, June 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Church of Christ in Lubbock with nephew, Randy Harris, presiding.

The Bigham Family would like to thank Bridge Hospice and especially Maegan, Brittany, Chaplain Jan, Stacy, Tina and daughter-in-love Kathy Bigham for their compassion and service during Burly’s declining health.

Burly’s legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

if you are unable to attend in person, services will be live streamed through the link provided below.

https://www.youtube.com/live/OkN5xaRGhEE?feature=shared