Colonel William "Bill" B. Higgins

Colonel William “Bill” B. Higgins, U.S.M.C. Retired, 89, of Oxnard passed on peacefully in his residence on February 7, 2012. Bill was born in Schuyler, Nebraska on May 23, 1922 to John and Lillian Higgins.

Proceeded in death by his beloved sweetheart, Lavone Nicoloff, brothers, Jim, John and Roger; sisters, Helen and Kathleen. Survived by three children and five grandchildren-Mark Higgins and daughter Tara of Ventura, Lisa Higgins of Los Angeles, and Carl & Erin Higgins and children, Dylan, Reilly, Liam & Analei of Hawaii.

Bill had a distinguished 27 year career in the U.S.M.C. as a fighter pilot & instructor participating in not only WWII but in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He started flying in a F4U Corsair and advanced to piloting A4 jets. Bill was well decorated for his valor in air combat with awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 Stars, Presidential Unit Citation and Korean Presidential Unit Citation amongst others. During his service he also earned 3 degrees of Civil & Aeronautical engineering from Naval Postgraduate School and Stanford University. Upon retiring from U.S.M.C. in 1969 Bill went on to work at Hughes Aircraft Company in Van Nuys for a 10 year period before purchasing his own company Advance Food Machine for his 3rd and final career. He serviced various types of restaurant kitchen equipment which took him all over Ventura County.

Most importantly Bill was a father, mentor, grandfather and dear friend to many. He lived with the philosophy of “givers gain” always there for you if you needed him, his time, his ear, moral support, financial aid or even a plane! Bill also gave generously to local charities. He enjoyed conversing with friends and was quite good at it. Bill started skiing at 55 and it became his new passion being a member of the Pt. Mugu,Gold Coast & Las Padres Ski clubs traveling all over the world with his new friends to enjoy the great outdoors while traversing at very high speeds down great mountains covered with the “good stuff”. Downhill racing became his specialty and he participated in NASTAR races winning many medals over the years his favorite being a gold which was presented to him by Tommy Moe who was one of the most accomplished skiers in U.S. Ski history! Bill did his last ski run at Mammoth Mountain at age 80 only stopping due to worn out knees. Bill also enjoyed his “Yellow Bird” 172 Cessna airplane which he kept at Camarillo airport and flew also till 80 years of age only stopping because the airplane quit first! Dad also enjoyed his Jazz Club friends and music in Ventura.

Thank you to all of his dear family, friends and neighbors- you know who you are- you gave your love and kept this Marine going for all these years! A celebration of his life will be held at Ted Mayr Funeral Home located at 3150 Loma Vista Road on Saturday, February 18th 12 noon. A reception will follow. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors in July.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Ventura County Rescue Mission or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

May the good Lord bless Bill with a “safe landing” in His house where He has prepared a room for him.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.