William Higginbotham

Mr. John William Higginbotham, 85, of Washington, Ga. entered into rest on Friday, May 5, 2017 at his residence. He was a native of Wilkes County and spent his entire life there as a dairy farmer and cattleman.  He was a member of the Wilkes County Farm Bureau serving as president for sixteen years, a member of the Georgia Milk Producers serving as a director for twenty years and as president for two of those years, a director of both the Dairy Farmers of America and the Southeast United Dairy Association.  He was appointed to the Commodity Commission for Milk by then Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Tommy Irvin and appointed by the US Secretary of Agriculture to the Board of Directors of the United Dairy Industry Association where he served on the Research and Promotional Committee.  Additionally he was an active member of Rehoboth Baptist Church.

Survivors include his daughters, Susan H. Echols & husband, Billy; Joan H. Bowen and husband, George of Washington.  He is further survived by his grandchildren John Echols (Allison), Jenny Standard (Jason), Michael Bowen, and Nathan Bowen., as well as his great-grandchildren Lexi Land, Bella Echols, Case Echols, and Brock Standard all of Washington.

Mr. Higginbotham was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Holloway Higginbotham and his great-granddaughter, Ally Grace Standard.

Graveside services will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the Rehoboth Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the sanctuary of the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rehoboth Christian Life Center c/o Alan Ivey, 3028 Lovelace Road, Lincolnton, GA  30817.

Be ggs Funeral Home 200 May Ave., Lincolnton, GA 30817, Phone: 706-359-4117,  www.beggsfuneralhome.net