Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Haggie, William Harold October 21, 1944 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com September 11, 2015, 3:15 pm Norfolk Journal and Guide,Oct 28,1944 Norfolk - William Harold Haggie, widely known throughout the city as Willie Haggie, dapper and successful Church street business man, died at his residence, 1371 Bolton street, Saturday morning, Oct. 21, about five o’clock. Mr. Haggie had been ailing for several weeks, but was confined to his home only three days prior to his death. His illness had not been regarded as critical, and the end came as a shock to members of his household and scores of acquaintances. He was in his 61st year. The funeral was conducted at the First Baptist Church Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 25, with the Rev. R. H. Bowling, pastor, officiating. For more than 30 years, he held membership in that church. A native of Winston-Salem, NC, one of a family of several children, Mr. Haggie came to this city to live when 14 years of age. Without the advantage of formal schooling, he found employment which contacted him with local merchants and other businessmen which eventually led to a relationship that he later employed with distinct advantage. Instinctively, Mr. Haggie was a salesman. This trait in him largely accounted for his marvelous success in the diversified merchandising fields he later entered. He marketed various commodities including haberdashery, expensive raiment for both sexes and jewelry. In selling valuable and high-priced diamonds he attained almost unbelievable success. Mr. Haggie’s clientele was not limited to races. Representing some of the most reputable jewelry firms in this city, and frequently visiting the New York diamond market, he is known to have sold precious stones valued at $2,500 or more. Unobtrusively, but with marked success, Mr. Haggie was active in the real estate field. Acting as salesman, broker and collector for substantial real estate firms, he often earned handsome commissions. His achievements he never heralded. Only a few persons outside of intimate acquaintances, knew how extensive were his business transactions, or how highly he was esteemed and thoroughly trust by downtown business firms. Among the general public, he was noticed most for the clothes he wore. Personable in nature, fastidiously dressed in the best fitting garments at all times, he was regarded as a male fashion plate. Begging for work as chore boy at the store of the Norfolk Tailoring Company, then operated on Church street, the young man started wearing clothes that readily made him distinctive. Noticing this, his employers lost no time in making available to him their most stylish raiment, with the request that he dress in it, stand in front of their store and pose as a fashion model. Later, the former store boy opened his own haberdashery shop further up Church street, specializing in clothes on time payments. At his death, he was proprietor of the Haggie Variety Shop in the second floor of the building at 971 Church street. As a public benefactor, Mr. Haggie made a creditable reputation. At times during the years of the depression he procured odd-lot children’s shoes from merchants of his acquaintance and distributed them free to needy children. He performed numerous other unheralded charities. The obituary and messages of sympathy were read at the funeral by the Rev. J. N. Fuller. Solos were rendered by Mrs. Minnie Foote and Mrs. N. Davis Patterson. Pallbearers were L. A. Howell, Junius Butts, Joe Riddick, Randolph Carter, William B. Pope, and James Snowden. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery with funeral arrangements in charge of the B. F. King Funeral Home. Survivors include an adopted daughter, Mrs. Esther Jones of New York City; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Lucinda Lee of Philadelphia; a nephew, Trolius A. Lee, Philadelphia, and three grandchildren. Additional Comments: Calvary Cemetery not on cemetery listing (Unrecorded interment) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/h/haggie9493gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb