Merrill W. "Bud" Higgins

Merrill W. "Bud" Higgins, 88, of 23 Otsego Rd. died Sunday, June 15 in Memorial Hospital.

He leaves his wife of 66 years, Barbara (Shepard) Higgins; three sons, Christopher S. Higgins, Jonathan A. Higgins, and Andrew W. Higgins of Worcester; a daughter, Carolyn H. Bell of Enfield, Conn.; four grandchildren, Sarah and Whitney Higgins of Scranton, Pa., and Drew and Matthew Higgins of Worcester. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Higgins and sister Merle Sutliffe.

Born in Worcester, son of Arthur P. and Bertha (Dunton) Higgins, he graduated from WPI in 1942, and served as a First Lieutenant during WWII with the 494 Bombardment Squadron 344 Bombardment Group. He flew B 26 Air Craft and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Bud began his working career at Worcester Pressed Steel Co., then went on to Riley Stoker, and Coes Knife Co. He ultimately founded his own business, International Ceramic Engineering Co. in 1987.

He was a member of The Worcester Youth Guidance Assn., Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Historical Society, Tatnuck Country Club, and was an incorporator of Higgins Museum. An avid golfer, he also enjoyed his vegetable garden.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Monday June 23 in the First Unitarian Church, 90 Main St., Worcester. Burial will be at a later date. Calling hours will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday June 22 in CASWELL-KING FUNERAL HOME, 474 Grove St., Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester 01609 or Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Ave., Worcester 01606.