William R. Kiggins Jr. (August 13, 1939 — March 17, 2026)
William Ralph Kiggins, Jr., naval officer, engineer, and deeply devoted family man, of Quakertown, PA, formerly of Latrobe, PA, passed peacefully from this world on March 17, 2026.
Born August 13, 1939, in Greensburg, PA, he was the son of William Ralph Kiggins, Sr. and Ann Burton Kiggins. William grew up in Youngwood and Greensburg and graduated from Greensburg Salem High School in 1957, where he excelled in football and track and field.
Following high school, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1961 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. At the Academy, he set track and field records and sang in the Naval Academy Choir, including an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the USS John King and in the China Sea aboard the USS Bauer, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. Embracing the opportunity to see the world, he traveled extensively, including attending the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where he developed a lasting appreciation for Japanese gardens and bonsai. His travels also took him to Hong Kong, Morocco, Northern Africa, and Europe, where he skied in the Alps and attended a public audience with Pope John XXIII at the Vatican.
In 1965, William attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia while serving in the Navy Reserves, and he was honorably discharged in 1973.
He went on to work for Westinghouse Electric Corporation and later the Bank of New York Mellon. A hands-on individual, he built a cedar-log vacation home at Treasure Lake, PA, and, in retirement, pursued genealogy.
Family was central to his life, especially summers with his grandchildren at "Kamp Kiggins." A lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he remained loyal even after relocating to Eagles country to be closer to his daughter and her family.
His parents predeceased him; his brother, Terrence Kiggins and wife Virginia; and his sister, Patricia Eidemiller, her husband Fritz, and their daughter Kirsten.
He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Lowry Johnson Kiggins; stepchildren Christopher Johnson (son Teddy), Anne Johnson, and Sarah Johnson Kelly (husband Matthew, daughter Fiona); his sister, Sandra Kiggins Holmes (husband Griff); and niece Beth Eidemiller González (husband Jorge) and their four sons- Jorge, Alex, William, and Christian.
A burial and celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity or the Alzheimer's Association.
Naugle Funeral & Cremation Services
135 W Pumping Station Rd
Quakertown, PA 18951
(215) 536-3343
https://www.nauglefcs.com/obituaries/william-kiggins