Willis Wiggins

Willis Paul Bill Wiggins

BILL WIGGINS Obituary

Bill Wiggins was born in Roswell, September 24, 1917. His parents, Miles Burgess Wiggins and Mona Brown Wiggins, were early homesteaders and established a ranch north of town where they raised cattle and their two sons. Bill was as much a part of New Mexico as the cholla and devils claw. Bill passed away on November 4, 2012 at the age of 95 in the family home.

Bill attended Roswell schools, as well as New Mexico Military Institute, where he was recognized for his achievement in fencing. In Bills autobiography, he states, Following graduation, I took a job or two and hitchhiked around the country for awhile. Then I enrolled at Abiline Christian College where I stayed for one year, and that was the luckiest year of my life Thats where I met Ruthelle and we were married in 1940. That was also the year I started painting, though I had sketched in the margins of all my school books for years. One of my friends, after seeing some of my drawings, commented, You have missed your calling. You should be an artist Bills father, Miles, asked Bill if he wanted to run the ranch, and Bill responded, Yes, if I can paint. Bill Wiggins was an artists artist, someone who was totally dedicated to his creative endeavors without need of recognition or concern for art trends. Bill served in WWII and during his time in Europe he was able to attend art school in England and look at the art work of old masters, who were his influence. He returned home to the ranch, his beloved Ruthelle, and their first born daughter, Sandra. Bill rarely left Roswell, continued to ranch and paint and raise their second and third daughters, Kathleen and Elaine.

In the 1950s and early 60s, Bill taught art classes for adults and children at the Roswell Museum and Art Center. He had many solo exhibitions, as well as exhibiting with other family members. In 1995, the RMAC gave him a fifty year retrospective, showcasing his lifetime of artistic achievement. For almost the entirety of 95 years, Bill has devoted his career to painting with an unwavering joyous commitment to the creative process. The singularity of purpose that drove him in the 1940s continued to motivate him his entire life. He drew from an inner power to which a life of gentleness and quietude manifested a startling array of poignant canvases. His passion for painting never left him, as witnessed by the sheer number of works produced, keeping him forever inventing new ways of communicating ideas through the poetry of color and light. He was recognized for his commitment by the state of New Mexico and was awarded the Governors Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011. In spite of over twenty years of adapting to the ravages of macular degeneration, Bill continued to paint through the darkness.

Bill was able to live at home his entire life surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Ruthelle Gray 2008, his younger brother and acclaimed photojournalist and author, Walt Wiggins 1992, and his oldest daughter, Sandra Wiggins, who just passed away 6 weeks ago. He is survived by his loving daughters, Kathleen Sheffeld her husband Bill and Elaine Howe her husband Tom grandchildren Jeffrey Bracey his wife Heather, Jeremy Howe, Miranda Howe, and Logan Howe his wife Kim greatgrand children Rowan, Evie, and Elena sisterinlaw Roynel Wiggins nephews Walt Wiggins his wife Vicki, Kim Wiggins his wife Maria, niece Lisa Lester and many other family relations and numerous friends.

Bill was a kind, gentle, and generous man. He was devoted to his family and gave rides on his wheelchair to his greatgrandchildren the day before he died. Bill leaves a legacy of love, of creativity and inspiration, of a deep and sincere interest in the people closest to him.

Bill Wiggins leaves behind a beautiful mark.

Everyone is invited to a memorial tribute for Bill Wiggins at the Roswell Museum and Art Center on Saturday, November 24th, at 11am.

Donations in his name could be made to the Roswell Museum and Art Center.