Joseph "Gene" Eugene Wiggins

He was born on October 12, 1935, in Harnett County, NC to the late Harvey W. Wiggins and Hazel Ruffin Wiggins.

Mr. Wiggins was an Army National Guard Veteran that served with the Infantry and Artillery as a Senior Rifleman. Mr. Wiggins' exemplary scores earned him numerous recognitions as an Expert Marksman in 1953 and 1959. His unit was federally recognized on April 14, 1952. He received an Honorable Discharge on May 24, 1956 for his service to his country.

Gene's passion for motorcycles was a known fact. He loved to hunt, fish, and travel. Some of his travel destinations included Honduras and Mexico.

He also loved his Australian Shepherd, "Jerry". Gene raised "Mack", a calf rejected by its mother, from the bottle.

Gene loved going to auctions. He loved antique tractors and collecting old tobacco tins. He also loved to collect old vinyl records and enjoyed playing them on his antique gramophone.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Bryant Wiggins, and a sister, Betty Wiggins Neighbors.

He is survived by a daughter, Robbie Blackmon (Ben) of Coats, NC; a son, Donnie Wiggins (Hye Suk) of Broadway, NC; a brother, James Walton Wiggins of Four Oaks, NC; four sisters, Brenda Wiggins Smith (Michael) of Coats, NC, Helen Wiggins Strickland of Dunn, NC, Mary Wiggins Forrest (Del) of Buies Creek, NC, and Leola Wiggins Loyd of Rocky Point, NC; five grandchildren, B.J. Blackmon (Kelly) of Sneads Ferry, NC, Carrie Dunn of Coats, NC, Nicholas Wiggins of Orangeburg, SC, Diane Heffernan (Travus) of Hope Mills, NC, and Kimberly Wiggins of St. Matthews, SC; Gene also leaves behind 14 Great-grandchildren and 2 Great-great-grandchildren.

There will be a gathering for family and friends on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 11, 2024 in the chapel of Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Beasley and Rev. Virgil Murphy officiating, with a burial proceeding to Harnett Devotional Gardens after the Service, where military honors will be rendered.

Share a memory, or condolence at www.cromartiemiller.com.

Services entrusted to Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home of Dunn, NC.