David W. “Blue Gill” Higham, age 57 of Morris, died Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Margaret Mary Health. Born August 4, 1959 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, he is the son of Juanita (Nee: York) and Carroll Higham. He married Deborah Doll November 29, 1980 at St. Anthony’s Church in Morris. A zone leader, he was in his 40th year at the Hill-Rom Company.
Blue Gill was very unselfish and always helping others. Not one to just join, he gave freely of his time to the organizations which he belonged and worked tirelessly at fundraising for them. Some of those include the Morris Volunteer Fire Department, Whitetails Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation and the Knights of Columbus Council #1461. Obviously an avid hunter and fisherman, his family teased that ironically some of his vacation time seemed to always fall on the opening week of deer season. He also looked forward to the fishing trips with his buddies and his passion started early on, as he opened a bait shop at the age of 13.
Blue Gill was also an avid sports fan. He coached his son’s ball team and for many years played softball himself. He also enjoyed racing, the Reds, “anybody but Cleveland” in football and bowled on several teams. He and Deb still laughed after all these years that during their wedding the priest referred to him several times as Doug and the family fondly remembers their summer beach vacations. They found it hilarious that he would float on his back and all you’d see were these two big feet sticking out of the water. His true passion was being with his grandchildren, whether that was playing cards with them or passing on his love of fishing with them.
He is survived by his wife Deb; daughter and son-in-law Kelli and Michael Westendorf of Cincinnati, Ohio; son and daughter-in-law Kyle and Abbie Higham of Batesville; sisters Janice Uhlmansiek of Aurora, Indiana, Patty LaVelle of Rising Sun, Indiana, Sandy Bruce of Aurora, Indiana; brother Roger Higham of Fountaintown, Indiana as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother Juanita Vankirk; father Carroll Higham; stepmother Evelyn Higham and stepfather Harold Vankirk.
Visitation is Sunday, June 25th from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home with a prayer service conducted by the Morris Volunteer Fire Department at 1 p.m. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Monday, June 26th, at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Shaun Whittington officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family prefers memorials to the Morris Fire Department, Gibault School, Monsignor Schmitz Fund or Catch a Dream.