W. J. “Chee” Higginbotham

W. J. “Chee” Higginbotham, of China, died on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home, in Jennings, Louisiana. He was born on January 19, 1926, to Walter and Esther Higginbotham, in Pine Island.

He married Rena “Poppy” Waguespack who preceded him in death and is survived by four daughters, June Gober (James), Janell Vickrey and Deborah Schroeder (Punkee) of China, and Rebecca Manuel of Eunice, Louisiana; nine grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

Chee was a veteran of World War II, where he served with naval forces in the Pacific Theatre. He led a full life farming, ranching, operating a water system, and raising a family in China, Texas. Chee spent most of his life working with his brother, the late Walfred Higginbotham. He was active throughout his life in Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in China and will be greatly missed by his many family and friends.

A Rosary for Mr. Higginbotham will be recited at 9:00 a.m., with a gathering of his family and friends to follow until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 245 West Highway 90, China, with interment to follow at China Cemetery, China. Serving as pallbearers will be Jeffery Leger, Kyle Smith, Hayden Smith, Michael Ruppert, Beau Schroeder, and Johnny Vickrey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, P.O. Box 38, China, Texas 77613 or Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home, Activities Fund, 1610 Evangeline Road, Jennings, Louisiana 70546.