Billy Ray Wiggins

Billy Ray Wiggins, 75, of Springfield, went on to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. He was born on August 31, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of the late Earl and Marion (Fraley) Wiggins. After graduation, Billy proudly served in the United States Air Force. Following his military career, he started working as a truck driver and was employed over his lifetime by Wilson Freight Company, Chemical Waste and Mayflower Trucking. During his early driving years, he met his beloved wife of 48 years, Naomi (Raines) while eating at a diner where she waitressed. Together they raised 5 beautiful children who carried on their legacy and provided them with many grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. Along with his wife, he is survived by his oldest son, Thomas Ray Durham and his children, Stacy, Chasity, Tommy (Tori), Billy, Brian and Tosha; daughter, Lori Ann (Terry) Sims and their children, Mark and Jodie; daughter, Loletta (Mark) McGowan and their children, Jennifer (Greg) and Mark (Tina); daughter, Lana Wiggins and her children, Mikey (Mikkie), Sarah and Bruce; and youngest son, Billy Ray II (Angel) Wiggins and their children, Angelica and Laney; sister, Caroline Haskins and her children, Kent, Mickey, Kevin and Leann; brother, Albert (Charlotte) Wiggins and their daughter, Christine; brother, Bennie (Paula) Wiggins and their children, Joey, Billy, Rick and Amanda; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kay Raines, Daniel (Cheryl) Raines, Vernon (Norma) Raines and Dennis (Joanne) Raines; special friends, Rick and Nancy Darr, Bob and Dixie Whitaker, Helen and John Foster, Jr. and Drew Reveal and Bonnie; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother, Paul Wiggins. Billy was a man who loved life itself and everything it had to offer. He had a passion for woodworking and making pieces for his family to forever treasure. He loved traveling, especially to visit his daughter that lived in Arkansas and the months he and his wife were snow birds, and lived in Florida. He loved camping and fishing, but most of all, he loved to spend time with his family, whether it be teasing them or giving his great-grandkids nicknames, his family always came first. He was a man of integrity and filled with love that can never be matched. A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, that while his shoes can never be filled, his legacy will live on by the family he loved so dearly.

Billy Ray Wiggins

August 31, 1940 - October 21, 2015