William Joseph Higgins

William J. Higgins, of Jupiter, Florida, passed away on Saturday November 8, 2025. He was 89 years old. Born June 21, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Garrett Higgins and Nerina Siclari Higgins. He graduated from Power Memorial Academy in Manhattan. He later moved to Staten Island, and then to Pine Beach, New Jersey before retiring to Florida.

Bill was the beloved husband of Mary Elizabeth O'Leary Higgins; father of Susan Barrett and the late William J. Higgins Jr.; grandfather of Michael, Thomas, and John; brother of the late John Higgins, Patricia Sarno, Michael Higgins, the late Pauline Felumero, Maryann Battaglia, and Ginger Walsh. He also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Bill was a New York Stock Exchange seat holder and chairman of the NYSE Equity Members Association. He fought for six years to allow floor brokers to have outside phone lines on the trading floor. In 1982, the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered the NYSE to comply with his request. He was the first Big Board trader to use a portable phone unit, which he designed and patented, to communicate with his clients directly from the trading floor.

In addition, Bill was an Amateur Radio Operator ever since he was first introduced to it when he was a boy scout. He received a letter of commendation from the Federal Communication Commission, in 1975, when he and other members of the Radio Amateur Repeater Association of Staten Island provided crucial emergency communication support to first responders in NYC following a five-alarm fire at the New York Telephone Company.

Bill and his wife Beth enjoyed venturing out on their sailboat with friends to many destinations. They also traveled to many places in Europe with Ireland and Italy being their favorite places to vacation. They also enjoyed visiting the National Parks. Bill took pride in his impressive gun collection and both he and his wife were certified firearm instructors. They spent time together at the range teaching others firearm safety and shooting skills. They created many treasured memories together.

A visitation will be held on November 18, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Casey Funeral Home, located at 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY, 10314.

The funeral service will take place on November 18, 2025, from 11:00 am to 11:15 am at the same location.

A committal service will follow on November 18, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 12:15 pm at Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Rd, New York, NY, 10306.