ST. MARY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: BIGLER, WILLIAM R., SR. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: Iberts Mortuary, Inc. Franklin, LA 70538 Died: Monday, June 20, 2016 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= BIGLER, WILLIAM R., SR. August 4, 1923 - June 20, 2016 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/stmary/obits/dateobits/2016/sm1606.htm and click on the name of interest. ========== The extended Bigler clan lost a great man with the passing of Brigadier General (Retired) William R. Bigler Sr. Known as Pops, Grandpa, Uncle Bill or just Bill, he will be dearly missed. He was born on Aug. 4, 1923 to the late Henry M. Bigler and Alice Kappel Bigler, and died unexpectedly but very peacefully at home the night of June 20, 2016. We all thought he would live to be 100, but the Lord said it was his time and took him in a breath's instant. He was found sitting in his favorite chair with his TV remote in his hand with a look of contentment and peace on his face. What a way to pass into God's kingdom. He was born into a family that included his parents and four brothers and five sisters. He is the last of this group of 10 who were all exceptional in their own individual ways. Dad worked from an early age, as did the other nine children. He was a gifted athlete in grade school and high school, focusing on football, baseball and boxing. He attended LSU for a while. He was in ROTC when the military became a calling for him. He won an appointment to West Point and was on their boxing team where he won many bouts. He was also a Company Commander in the Cadet Corps, a huge honor. He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1946. Dad married his high school sweetheart and our mom, Marilyn Genevieve Gautreau Bigler, in October 1946, months after finishing West Point. He would later say she was the bedrock that allowed him to be a professional soldier with all the travel and stress that the career puts on a couple and their family. In 1953, Dad earned a Master's degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, then the leading institution to offer such a degree. He first served in Germany, went on to Korea and returned back to the USA to work in the Pentagon. Then he moved the family to Berlin, Germany, in August 1961, two days before the Wall went up. These were exciting and anxious times that were held together by the leadership and love of Dad. Fast-forwarding through two assignments, he then served a tour in Vietnam in 1968 where he commanded the Quinn Yan Fuel Supply Depot. His last assignment before retiring from the military was to command the Defense Fuel Supply Center in the Pentagon. This unit supplied all fuel for the Army and Air Force worldwide and was his crowning assignment. He retired to Franklin in 1973 and built a beautiful home on the Bayou Teche. Dad served for one term on the Franklin City Council from 1978 to 1982. He later co-chaired the committee that helped change St. Mary Parish government from a police jury to a council body ruled by a home rule charter. He worked at Teche Federal Bank for a while, retired, re-entered work as an advisory board member for Iberia Bank and entered his final retirement as a full board member for Iberia Bank when he was 75. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn Gautreau Bigler; his middle son Thomas Keith Bigler; all of his nine siblings – brothers Louis S. Bigler, Karl J. Bigler, Henry M. Bigler, Jr., Clyde S. Bigler and sisters Elizabeth B. Carr, Marguerite B. Primeaux, Juanita A. Bigler, Rosemary B. Romero and Marjorie B. Shinn; sisters-in-law Carmen Gautreau and Fay Brown and her husband Hilton Brown, MD; and daughter-in-law Judy Bigler. He is survived by two sons, William R. Bigler Jr., and his wife Martha Anne of Shreveport; Michael B. Bigler and his wife Linda of New Iberia; two grandchildren, William Cameron Bigler, and his wife Carly of Mandeville; and Taylor Caroline Bigler of Southwest Harbor, Maine. Dad absolutely adored his grandchildren and they will miss him terribly. He is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews. Dad was known to have a sharp and brilliant mind. He also was a man of faith and integrity. He behaved consistent to his cherished values every single day and he was our rock. He could be very ornery if you did not agree with him, but he always spoke from thoughtful analysis and a logic that was usually impeccable. We already miss this great man deeply. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Ibert's Mortuary in Franklin on Sunday, June 26, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Monday, June 27, 2016, from 8:00 a.m. until time of service. Funeral services will begin Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Ibert's, with Rev. Doug Lasiter, of Trinity Episcopal Church in Morgan City, officiating. He will be laid to rest with Military Honors in the Perpetual Park Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert's Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA US Army ===================