William R. Higgins

William R. "Bill" Higgins, 80, of Pekin, IL, passed away at 1:19 PM on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Born on May 19, 1945, in Miami Beach, FL, to Walter and Lola M. (Maloney) Higgins, Bill lived a life full of dedication, warmth, and passion for his family, country, and community.

He married Lucretia Montgomery in 1971, She passed away in 2001. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Lola and one granddaughter, Jazmin Malson. Left to honor his memory are his devoted children: son, Steven (Carrie) Higgins of Washington, IL; daughters, Carrie (Gerard) Smith and Stacey (Shane) Hayes, both of Pekin; five grandchildren, Olivia (Josh) Williams of Texas, Katelyn Smith of Washington, IL, Jaden (Isaac) Tovrea of Pekin, Phoenix Hayes of Pekin and Leila Higgins of Washington, IL; his brother, Ronald Higgins of Pekin. Bill's legacy lives on through his family, who will forever carry his love and lessons in their hearts.

A proud veteran of the United States Army, Bill served honorably during the Vietnam War, embodying courage and commitment to his country. His strong work ethic shone through in his career, beginning as a wire die maker at Keystone Steel and Wire from 1963 to 1976, followed by a role at Caterpillar from 1976 to 1982. A man of faith, Bill was a member of the Baptist community, finding solace and strength in his beliefs.

Bill's zest for life was evident in his hobbies. An avid collector of baseball cards, he delighted in the stories behind each card. He found joy on the golf course, in the bowling alley with the Keystone League, cheering enthusiastically at high school basketball games and an avid Cardinal fan. A 1963 graduate of Pekin High School, Bill took pride in being part of the final class to graduate from the West Campus, a milestone he often reminisced about with a smile.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, with Pastor Hugo Alcantara officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Tuesday, August 5th at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the Tazewell Ceremonial Team, recognizing Bill's service and sacrifice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Peoria VA Out Patient Clinic, a cause close to Bill’s heart, supporting fellow veterans. Bill’s memory will live on in the countless lives he touched with his kindness, humor, and unwavering loyalty.