Dr. Joe Willie Wiggins

Dr. Joe Willie Wiggins died peacefully in his sleep on December 4, 2024. Born April 11, 1923 in Sidon, Mississippi, he grew up there and in the surrounding Greenwood, Mississippi area, the oldest of seven children. Joe attended Millsaps College in Jackson, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1946, and then attended medical school at Johns Hopkins University, where he met the love of his life, Frances Ruth Knotts. They were married after he graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1950 and moved to New Orleans, where Joe completed his internship at Charity Hospital in 1951. They then moved to Starkville, MS where he started medical practice and expanded his family. Joe served in the Air Force at Bryan Air Force Base for two years and was discharged with the rank of Captain. Moving to Vicksburg, MS, he acted as the County Health Officer providing public health services to three counties, including the implementation of the polio vaccine. 

In 1964 Joe, Frances and their six children moved to Gainesville, Florida where he began his residency in Pathology at the University of Florida. His time there involved witnessing such events as the invention of Gatorade and the game winning kick against Auburn. He passed his board exams in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology in 1968. In the summer of 1969, he was recruited by Jacksonville Pathology Associates. As part of this group, he serviced the local Baptist hospitals, Riverside Hospital and Memorial Hospital, settling at Memorial Hospital until his retirement in the mid-1980s. After retirement, Joe and Frances lived in various locations throughout Florida including Welaka, St. Augustine Beach and finally in Jacksonville Beach. 

Joe and France were active after Joe’s retirement, involving themselves in the Beaches Meals on Wheels program, St. Paul’s by the Sea cold night shelter, and the Beaches Democratic Club; they also served as poll workers in the Beaches area. In earlier years, they enjoyed world travel including visits to England, France, Scotland, Italy, and Wales, and were among the first Americans permitted to visit China in the early 1980s. After 64 years of marriage, Joe lived nine years after the loss of his wife. He enjoyed his daily crossword puzzles from the Florida Times Union and The New York Times, which he always filled out in pen, and he never missed a Jeopardy episode, answering many of the questions before the contestants. He followed the Marlins for many years and enjoyed football games at both the college and professional level. He was happiest at special occasions and holiday gatherings, being surrounded by his many family members and friends, toasting with champagne. 

Joe is survived by his brother Glynn Wiggins (Nora) of Gallatin, TN, his sister Nan Byrne of Natchez, MS, his six children: Leslie Wiggins-Baker (Steve – deceased), Steven C. Wiggins (Sharon Campbell), Judy Kouri (Harukazu-deceased), Sarah W. Bove (Spike), Anne E. Wiggins (Cecil – deceased) and Joseph J. Wiggins (Alicia) as well as his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in early February.