Thomas Boyd Wiggins, Sr.

Thomas Boyd Wiggins, Sr., Sergeant Major United States Marine Corps (USMC) retired, died July 30, 2010 at 12:10 a.m. at Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington, Georgia.He was 81 years old. After leaving the swamps of southern Georgia at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and found a home where he felt he truly belonged. His service spanned; the occupation forces after World War II, the Korean Conflict, and two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. As a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, training young men to be marines gave him great satisfaction. During his life, he was active in the Scouting Association from Cub Scouts to Explorers.He enjoyed fishing and hunting.He was an accomplished wood craftsman, farmer, cattle rancher, and, in the quiet moments, an avid reader. His greatest pleasure was dancing with his wife at blue grass and cajun festivals from North Carolina to Louisiana. He is survived by three children: his daughter Barbara W. Meyer of Crowley, Louisiana and sons James R. Wiggins from Beaufort, South Carolina and Thomas Boyd Wiggins Jr. from Great Barrington, Massachusetts; one brother, Dixie Dean Wiggins of Bryson City, North Carolina. He is also survived by five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jean Henderson Wiggins and brother, Hubert E. Wiggins, Jr. There will be a visitation at his home 193 Mallorysville Road , Tignall, Ga. on Sunday August 1, from 4pm to 6pm. Burial services will be at the Beaufort National Cemetery, Thursday August 5, 10:30am with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity or institution of your choice.