Willie D. Wiggins, 70, a longtime Hale County educator and a veteran Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) basketball official, died on January 5, 2026, after an extended illness.
The AHSAA said Wiggins had been a “mentor and inspiration to many officials during his outstanding career” and was serving as Director for Basketball Officials in the West-Central District at the time of his death. Colleagues remembered him as a kind and patient leader whose positive approach with young officials helped the association train and retain referees throughout the region.
Willie Wiggins was born on October 20, 1955, in Greensboro, to the late Lennie and Ruby Wiggins. He confessed Christ at an early age and joined Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as a Sunday School member, member of the Male Chorus, trustee, vice president of the Pastor Aide Board, and church clerk until his death.
He was a 1975 graduate of Greensboro High School and a 1979 graduate of Selma University. He was also a member of Phi Theta Gamma. Willie D. was employed with the Hale County Board of Education for forty years. In addition to his work with the AHSAA as an official and later as district director, he served as Sweet Heart of the L.A.B.O.R.S. Club, was a trustee with the St. Paul District, and was a member of Masonic Lodge #228.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruby Park; and a brother, Lennie Wiggins Jr.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories a loving and caring wife, Sarah Wiggins; two sons, Denzel (Zenny) Williams of Tuscaloosa and Quintrell Watford of Huntsville; four bonus children, Kendrick (Latasha) Watford, Tobias Watford, Teshawna Watford, and Le’Darrius (LaQuita) Watford; three grandchildren, Seth Williams, Jamirea Williams, and Denzel Williams Jr.; and three bonus grandchildren he helped raise as his own, Kendrick (RJ), Ledarrius (Buddy), and L.A. (Big Girl).
He is also survived by two sisters, Evelene Jemison of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Gladys Madison of Ypsilanti, Michigan; two brothers, Charlie (Josephine) Wiggins of Greensboro and Lester Wiggins of Fort Wayne; four cousins who were raised like siblings, Mary Hamilton and Ronald Wiggins of Greensboro, Dorothy Wiggins of Irondale, and Rev. Michael (Calandra) Wiggins of Tuscaloosa; two special friends, Tracy Williams and Hezekiah T. Young; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing was held Friday, January 16, 2026, from noon until 4:00 p.m. at Agnew Funeral Home in Greensboro. A celebration of life service was held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 888 Union Grove Road, Greensboro. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
