Lt. Col. (Ret) Willie Maurice Biggs Jr. was born Sept. 13, 1941. He departed this life on Dec. 3, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was married to a loving and caring wife, Dr. Rosa Hinton-Biggs. He was the first child born to Maurice and Elnora Biggs. Maurice Jr., as he was affectionately called, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1959. He was a star football player during his high school years and completed ROTC training. He entered the United States Army in 1962, where he dutifully served two terms in Vietnam. While in the military, he completed his bachelor’s degree and earned a master’s degree in theology from Grace Theological Seminary in 2012. Maurice retired from military service in 1992 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was awarded numerous military medals for his service, including the Legion of Merit and two Bronze Stars for Valor.

Maurice led a productive and fruitful life. He was active in many civic, church and social activities. Among his affiliations were the Boy Scouts of America, Booker T. Washington School Alumni Association and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a lifelong member of East End Baptist Church, where he was active in the Adult Men’s Sunday school, Faith Evangelism Ministry, Prison Ministry, Political Awareness Ministry and Military Ministry. He also served as a Sunday school teacher at Union Bethel AME Church in Randallstown, Md., for four years. Maurice was a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. In 2014, he was awarded the fraternity’s Perseverance Award, in recognition of his exemplary display of the fraternity’s cardinal principle, perseverance. He maintained a deep a lasting bond with his fraternity brothers. Maurice had a generous philanthropic spirit. He enjoyed mentoring young people and contributed to several scholarship funds. Maurice became the patriarch of the family and was highly respected by his younger cousins, who often sought his support and followed his example of military excellence.

Maurice will be remembered as a man of strong faith with an adventurous nature and a passion for life. He was a great conversationalist and took pleasure in engaging others in discussion or debate. He loved outdoor activities including hiking, fishing and skiing. He also loved traveling around the United States and abroad. His major interests were military history and biblical studies.

Maurice touched the lives of numerous friends and family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Elnora Biggs. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dr. Rosa Hinton-Biggs; one aunt, Mrs. Adelaide Montgomery; of Suffolk; three siblings, Barbara Stewart, of Richmond, Joyce Atkins, of Smithfield, and Maj. (Ret) Michael Biggs (Carolyn), of Petersburg; former wife, Bernadette Biggs, mother of his two daughters, Traci Biggs and Treva Saleem, all of Palm Coast, Fla.; one stepdaughter, Natasha Davis, of Burlington, N.C.; one stepson, Ahira Hinton, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; five step-grandchildren, Tyquana Davis, Qiana Holt, Nastajja Jones, Ke’mauri Tinnin, and Samari Woods, all of Burlingon, N.C.; and a host of nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Omega Rites will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, at 7 p.m. in the Melvin Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home Inc. by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, at East End Baptist Church, 523 E. Washington St., Suffolk. The Rev. Wayne Faison will deliver the eulogy. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.