William Robert Miggins

William Robert Miggins was born December 24, 1950, in Ozark, AL to Robert Seymour and Catrobelle Miggins. He had fond memories of his childhood including time spent internationally related to his father's service in the Air Force. 

Unwilling to allow anyone to make decisions for him, including the US Government, he enlisted in the Navy in 1972 to avoid being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. His time was spent on submarines working with information technology and nuclear power. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Battle Efficiency Ribbon, and Expert Pistol Marksmanship Award. Robert rose to rank of Petty Officer and separated from the military in September 1980.

The most impactful moment of his Navy career was meeting his loving wife, Jacqueline Witherspoon, while stationed in Charlestown; SC. Robert married Jackie on March 12, 1977, and was a loving husband, a supportive father to Martenez and Makesha, and a doting grandfather to Cameron, Kaleb, and Kendell. The early years of their marriage were spent moving throughout the Midwest and Southeast in support of Robert’s career. In 1989, he transitioned from power plants to paper mills and relocated the family to Eufaula, AL. He worked as a maintenance engineer for 32 years at Westrock, retiring in 2021.

He was a Renaissance man who enjoyed history, photography, fishing, hunting, and tinkering. He was forever in search of how to improve something or do it himself; to quote him “why pay someone for something I could do myself?” A multi-faceted and complex man, he embodied the gentle giant persona. Underneath his gruff exterior, he had a giving spirit. Never one to be in the spotlight or yearn for attention, he will forever be known for his acts of kindness that went unseen.

Robert was baptized at Greater Sardis Missionary Baptist Church. He continued to serve the Lord through acts of faith and stewardship at Magnolia Bible Church. Robert departed this life on the evening of June 6, 2023, at Medic Center Barbour. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Seymour and Catrobelle Miggins, and two sisters, Reba Owens and Renee Miggins.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jacqueline, son, Master Sergeant Martenez Miggins (Arlington, TX), a daughter, Dr. Makesha Miggins (Houston, TX), three grandchildren, Cameron Miggins-McDonald (Lebanon, TN), Kaleb and Kendall Miggins (Houston, TX), sister Wanda (Calvin) Binion (Peoria, IL), brother Reginald (LaRita) Miggins (Jacksonville, FL), two sister-in-law, Alice Simmons and Emma Sue Williams (Charleston, SC), two brothers-in-law, Sam Witherspoon, Jr. (Eufaula, AL), Norman Owens (Hephzibah, GA), two special family members IshChuna McDonald (Lebanon, TN) and Marina Carrillo (Houston, TX), godson, Brad Cox, (Houston, TX) many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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