Celebration of Life
Real Life Ministries-
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Email Details
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1866 N. Cecil Rd
Post Falls, ID 83854
William Higgins, III
June 24, 1946 — January 14, 2017
William Higgins, III
William John Higgins III, most recently of Coeur d' Alene, went to be with his Lord on January 14, 2017, following over a year-long struggle with Bulbar ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
Originally of St. John's Newfoundland, Bill was born June 24, 1946, to Dr. William John Higgins and Judith Carnell Higgins, nine months following his father's return from war.
Being the oldest of three boys, he developed early a propensity to play, and officiate hockey and soccer, working with all ages.
In grade school, Bill was taught by the Irish Christian brothers. He went on to earn a degree in chemical engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He enjoyed manning a seismic station for six months deep in Labrador with his wild animal friends and neighbors. Bill was RCMP for a time. He was a professional photographer in Winnipeg before venturing to Rochester Institute of technology (NY) where he earned a masters degree in systems engineering.
He helped put himself through school, in part, by interpreting at R.I.T's National Institute for the Deaf. Another part was his being resident director twice; once of a 500 deaf-student dorm, and the other of a Vietnam war veteran dorm. The signing skills he learned at that point in his life, later made it possible for him to still communicate when he could no longer speak due to the ALS.
Bill met his wife, Karen, at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY. At Eastman Kodak, he first worked in the chemical labs, then in the international division. That position allowed him to travel the world training others in the photo and imaging business. The company relocated the family to the Seattle area where Bill and Karen continued to raise their children: William, and Katie.
One day, Eastman Kodak eliminated the position Bill had in the business systems department. By God's providence, the same day, Xerox Corp. hired him for the same position. Finishing his career, he became a partner in US Archives and Imaging, in Redmond, Washington.
Topping the joys of Bill's life have been his family, close and distant relatives. He made time for his family, actively involving himself in all their activities, coaching the many sports in which the children participated, as a scout leader, and in academics.
Bill was always ready to help out wherever and whenever needed, and was quick to create and contribute to a healthy but challenging environment for all.
Bill is survived by his wife, Karen, and their two children, William IV (Katya) and Katherine; brothers Geoffrey C. (Suzanne), and Gordon A. (Rhonda) of St. John's, Newfoundland; granddaughter, Elizaveta , and grandson, William V; also niece and God-daughter Andrea O'Callaghan (Matt), and niece Valerie Coughlan (Shawn), nephews Geoffrey Higgins, also of Newfoundland; and Christopher Higgins, and William G. Higgins. From these, he is also survived by seven great-nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life service is planned for this coming Saturday, January 28, 2017, at 3 pm at Real Life Ministries at 1866 N Cecil Rd., Post Falls, Idaho.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Higgins, III, please visit our flower store.
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