Robert Verdon Higgins, 78, our loving father, of Azle, Texas, died Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Service at Biggers Funeral Chapel followed by a private committal at Azleland Cemetery for the family.

Verdon was born June 19, 1939, to Kenneth and Floella Jackson Higgins in West Salem, Ill. He was united in marriage to Barbara Mitchell Aug. 29, 1961, and from that union came three sons and a daughter.

They came to make their home in Azle in 1966 and before that he worked and lived in Lockport, Ill., working as a lieutenant in Statesville Prison. Aircraft was his life work. Beginning at General Dynamics in 1966 and following his retirement at Bell Helicopter after 30 years. Verdon had a deep respect for the Bible, and when he could, he attended Christian meetings and never shying away from hard work.

Verdon was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Higgins; brother, Wendell “Wimpy” Wright; grandmother, Myrtle Jackson; two aunts; and one uncle.

He leaves to mourn, his mother, Floella Gwillim, 98; former wife, Barbara Kay Jenkinson; children, LaRon Higgins, Shayne Higgins and wife, Janis, Kyle Higgins and wife, Susan, and Genevieve Ochoa of Granbury; aunt, Fontilla Waddell; grandchildren, Savannah Higgins, Harrison Higgins, Amethyst Ochoa and Austin Ochoa; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) – Tuesday, October 17, 2017