William J. Wiggers

Bill was a 1958 graduate of Clymer Central School. He then earned a Bachelor’s in Education from SUNY Brockport, and was very proud to have accomplished this in three years and three summers. He completed his Master’s in Education, and earned his Educational Administration and Supervision certificate at SUNY Fredonia. After beginning his teaching career at Lakeshore Central School, he was then hired by Sherman Central School, where he taught high school social studies for 35 years. During his career at SCS, he additionally served as the school’s Athletic Director for seventeen years. Bill was also active in junior high and high school sports, officiating for basketball, baseball, softball, and track & field.

Bill was member of the Chautauqua County Athletic Association, where he held the positions of Executive Director, Secretary, and Treasurer. He served on the Sherman Central School Board of Education, and as a Village Trustee for the Village of Sherman. He was a dedicated, long-standing member of the North Clymer Community Church.

Encouraged by his father-in-law, he joined the Olive Lodge #575 of Sherman in 1966, where he remained an active member, serving continuously in numerous roles throughout the years. Because of his love for the Brotherhood, he then joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Jamestown and the Ismailia Shriners of Buffalo.

Bill grew up on a farm in North Clymer, where he learned the value of hard work. One of his greatest joys was boating on Findley Lake in his 1962 Chris-Craft, the Little Dude. He valued the importance of family time and took his “girls” on yearly vacations to Myrtle Beach. After retirement, wintering in Florida became an annual activity. Bill loved spending his Saturday mornings at John Wiggers & Son, catching up with his cousins on all the latest news. Bill was fascinated by history and studied genealogy, the Civil War, and the Old West extensively. His favorite pastime however, was the automobile, and he took meticulous care of all of his vehicles. Anyone who knew him, knew he was an avid New York Yankees fan, and loved using “Yogi-ism” phrases, especially, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ann Lorraine Gratzer Wiggers, whom he married Aug. 16, 1964, two daughters, Erica (Daniel) Webster of Oil City, PA, and Amanda (Leigh) Laurito of Fredonia, NY, three grandchildren, Alexandra Webster, Giacinte and Elysia Laurito, one sister, Anita Kathleen (Joe) Majerik of Waterford, PA, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Wiggers Jr.

Calling hours will be held at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville, 139 S Erie St. on Wednesday, December 3, from 5-7PM, with a Masonic service at 7 PM. On Thursday, Dec. 4, at the North Clymer Community Church (7795 NY-474, Panama, NY 14767) the family will receive friends for an additional calling hour from 12-1 PM. The Rev. Stephen Wiggers will officiate the funeral at 1 PM.

Memorial donations can be made to the North Clymer Community Church (P.O. Box 304, Clymer, NY 14724), or Olive Lodge #575 (P.O. Box 13, Sherman, NY 14781).

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com.