In Memoriam 
to the
W. P. Wiggins Bible College Founder

Bishop, Dr. William Preston Wiggins, Sr.
June 16, 1929 -  January 2, 2015
 

Bishop, Dr. William Preston Wiggins, Sr. was born in Gates County, NC on June 16, 1929 and was the son of the late Archie and Mary Bell Wiggins. He retired from Planters Peanut Company after 30 years as a forklift driver. He was the Founder and Pastor of the New Mount Joy COGIC (now New Mount Joy Food For Living Ministry) for 52 years, was also the Presiding Prelate of the United Church of God Fellowship, Inc. and founder of the W. P. Wiggins Bible College.

 

Bishop Wiggins was a former Superintendent of the Suffolk District Churches of God in Christ where he served faithfully for 28 years. He also served as Chairman of the Pastor’s and Elders Council; Administrative Assistant to Bishop Levi Willis, Sr., then Prelate of the Third Jurisdiction Churches of God in Christ, State of Virginia which resulted in the appointment as the Regional Overseer of the Central Region. He also served as member of the following: Chartered member of the Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the City-Wide Passion Week Planning Committee, The City-Wide National Day of Prayer Committee, the American Lung Society, the Food Bank Society and Supporter of Social Services Activities Committee. 

Bishop Wiggins received numerous awards including: Pastor of the Year Award presented by the Department of Social Services, Wiggins P. Wiggins, Sr. Day Proclamation, Pastor of the Year Award presented by the Suffolk District Church of God in Christ, Prestigious Award of Esteem, East Suffolk Civic League Community Service award, Alpha Phi Alpha Man of the Year award, Black History of the Month honoree, NAACP Area II award for Outstanding Community Service, and the General Assembly of Virginia, Commendation for Recognition of 45 years of Service Award. 

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