William Higgins

William P. Higgins, Veteran of the U.S. Army, 92 of Chicago, IL., Dear Husband of Florence (nee Phelan) for 62 wonderful years; Loving Father of Patrick J. (Sarah E. Edwards) of Nashville, Mary Regina Higgins (Randall E.) Reither, William J. (Cynthia J. Kraft) Higgins and Eileen T. Higgins; Beloved Son of late Patrick J. and late Helen (nee Cummings) Higgins, passed away on August 1, 2019. He was preceded in death by his sister Patricia (Matthew Keane), his brothers Charles (Mary Rita), John “Jack” (Dorothy), James (Winifred) and and Gerald Higgins. He is survived by his sister-in-laws Cynthia Higgins, Joyce Phelan and Patricia Phelan. Loving Papa to William, Lillian and Clay Higgins; Charles, Capt. Daniel, USMC, Robert and Scott Reither; and Bridget, Caitlin (fiance Jason Brown) and Jack Higgins. Fond Uncle of many Higgins and Phelan Nieces and Nephews. Bill was a graduate of St. Angela School, Fenwick High School where he was “All State in Football 1944”, and Notre Dame University; a football player on the 1949 Notre Dame National Championship Team and a Leahy Lad, a former member of the Stewart’s Club, 37th Ward Organization, 38 Regular Democratic Ward Organization under the Cullerton Family, a lector, parish council member and extraordinary minister at Our Lady Mother of the Church and St. Angela Parish. Bill coached football at both Fenwick High School and St. Angela Parish and was a Junior Great Books leader at St. Angela. Bill loved Florence, Family, Football and Food and most importantly his Faith. He was a Realty Appraiser and Insurance Agent and preached that you are never to old to tough it out and learn something new. Visitation Sunday, August 4, 2019 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at Cumberland Chapels (FRIEL FUNERAL DIRECTORS) 8300 W Lawrence Avenue Norridge, IL. Funeral Services Begin Monday 9:30 AM at Cumberland Chapels and will proceed to Our Lady Mother of the Church. Funeral Mass is at 10:30 AM. Interment with Military Honors, All Saints Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Big Shoulders Fund for Catholic Education, 212 W. Van Buren St., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60607 (312-751-8337), Fenwick High School, 505 Washington Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302 (708-948-0350) or Misericordia, 6300 N. RidgeAvenue, Chicago, IL. 60660 (773-973-6300).Info: cumberlandchapels.com or 708/456-8300