Lt. Col. Willie M. Biggs, Jr.

     LTC (Ret) Willie Maurice Biggs, Jr. was born September 13, 1941. He departed this life on December 3, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was married to a loving and caring wife, Dr. Rosa Hinton-Biggs. He was the first child born to Maurice and Elnora Biggs. Maurice Jr., as he was affectionately called, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1959. He was a star football player during his high school years and completed ROTC training. He entered the United States Army in 1962, where he dutifully served two terms in Vietnam. While in the military he completed his Bachelor's degree and earned a Master's degree from the University in 'theology from Grace Theological Seminary in 2012. Maurice retired from military service in 1992 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded numerous military medals for his service, including the Legion of Merit and two Bronze stars for Valor.   Maurice led a productive and fruitful life. He was active in many civic, church, and social activities. Among his affiliations were the Boy Scouts of America, Booker T. Washington School Alumni Association and the Disable American Veterans. He was a lifelong member of East End Baptist Church where he was active in the Adult Men's Sunday School, Faith Evangelism Ministry, Prison Ministry, Political Awareness Ministry and Military Ministry. He also served as a Sunday School teacher at Union Bethel AME Church in Randallstown, Maryland for four years. Maurice was a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. In 2014, he was awarded the fraternity's Perserverance Award, in recognition of his exemplary display of the fraternity's Cardinal Principle PERSEVERANCE. He maintained a deep a lasting bond with his fraternity brothers. Maurice had a generous philanthropic spirit. He enjoyed mentoring young people and contributed to several scholarship funds. Maurice became the patriarch of the family and was highly respected by his younger cousins whom often sought his support and followed his example of military excellence.    Maurice will be remembered as a man of strong faith with an adventurous nature and a passion for life. He was a great conversationlist and took pleasure in engaging others in discussion or debate. He loved outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, and skiing. He also loved traveling around the United States and abroad. His major interest were military history and biblical studies.   Maurice touched the lives of numerous friends and family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Elnora Biggs. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dr. Rosa Hinton-Biggs, one aunt, Mrs. Adelaide Montgomery of Suffolk, VA, three siblings, Barbara Stewart of Richmond, VA, Joyce Atkins of Smithfield, VA and Major (Ret) Michael Biggs (Carolyn) of Petersburg, VA, former wife, Bernadette Biggs, mother of his two daughters, Traci Biggs and Treva Saleem all of Palm Coast, FL,one son, Reuben Shaw (Shaynette) of Virginia Beach, VA, one grandson, Tony Davis, Jr. of Palm Coast, FL, one step-daughter, Natasha Davis of Burlington, NC, one step-son, Ahira Hinton of Poughkeepsie, NY, five step-grandchildren, Tyquana Davis, Qiana Holt, Nastajja Jones, Ke'mauri Tinnin, and Samari Woods, all of Burlingon, NC, and a host of nephews, cousins, other relatives and frineds.   A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at East End Baptist Church, 523 E. Washington Street, Suffolk, VA. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lt. Col. Willie M. Biggs, Jr., please visit our flower store.