Ben Wiggins Jr.

Ben Wiggins Jr. was born July 15, 1929 in Conroe, Texas to Ben Sr. and Mary (Gandy) Wiggins. On February 12, 2017 at his home, Ben went home to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 87 years, 6 months and 28 days. Ben came to Bryan Co. in 1977 from San Antonio and graduated from Conroe High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and reached the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring after 20 years of faithful service. Ben received the National Defense Medal, Air Force Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. During his Military career, Ben was responsible for medical evaluations for the astronauts of the Mercury 7 that included; John Glenn, Allen Shepard, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra and Deke Slayton. He also answered the Lord’s call and graduated from seminary school to become a Minister. Ben would go on to minister at the First Baptist Church of Bennington and was always known to care for and help the members. He enjoyed fishing, reading, fishing and fishing. Ben also enjoyed working in the garden and doing medical research from time to time, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grand and great grand children. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Preceding in death are Ben’s parents, Ben Sr. and Mary Wiggins; wife, Ima Gene Wiggins. Ben is survived by his son, Ben E. and wife Lisa of San Antonio, TX; daughters, Sarah Allen of Bokchito, OK, Sherri Stone and husband Joey of Maud, TX, Nancy Swearengin and Fiancé John of Ben Wheeler, TX, Elizabeth Reed and husband Clay of Ft. Smith, AR; brother, David Wiggins and wife Sarah of Bay Town, TX; sister, Marilyn Mills and husband Shirley “ Skipper” of Conroe, TX; grand children, Kasey Wiggins of San Antonio, TX, Heather Renee Smith and husband Jamie of Missouri, Derrick Brumley of Conroe, TX, Marshall Teague of San Antonio, TX, Kendra Day and husband Clayton of Durant, OK, Casondra Allen of Bokchito, OK, Michael Sherrer and wife Amanda of DeKalb, TX, Melissa Moya and husband David of Texarkana, TX, Manda Earnest and husband Jeremiah of Erath, LA, Mollie Payne and husband Wesley of Texarkana, AR, Stephaine McDaniel and husband James of Bennington, OK, Laurin Coffey of Ft. Smith, AR, Ben Coffey and wife Brooklyn of Wagoner, OK, Tanner Coffey of Wagoner, OK, Brooke Dietz of Talihana, OK along with 22 great- grandchildren and numerous other family and friends. Funeral service to Celebrate the life of Ben will be held Friday February 17, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Bennington with Clark Harp and Charlie Hearrell officiating. The United States Air Force Honor Guard will be serving as Pallbearers for the service. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Sherrer, Ben Coffey, Tanner Coffey, Derrick Brumley, Richard Gustavson, Jimmy McDaniel. John Jones and Robert Gustavson. Family Hour will be held on Thursday February 16, 2017 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, Durant.

Ben Wiggins Jr.

July 15, 1929 - February 12, 2017