Wayne (Delbert) Higgs, 86, passed away abruptly from a heart attack at his Oakdale home on Monday, December 5, 2022.

Wayne was born on May 14, 1936, in Tuolumne County. He grew up in the Sonora area and later moved down to the valley where he graduated from Oakdale High School. Wayne married his high school sweetheart Merle Higgs, and they spent 45 years beautifully married before she preceded him in death. Being a mechanic came naturally to Wayne and contributed to his success as the owner of several gas stations over the course of 35 years. Even after he retired, he continued to lend a hand “fixin’ cars” for his friends and neighbors.

The town of Oakdale was Wayne’s family too. He would often be found at local restaurants drinking coffee with his buddies or sitting in the bleachers cheering on his beloved alma mater Mustang football team. He was an enthusiastic fisherman, spending as much time as possible navigating his boat to the best bass spots on the lake. Wayne was a longtime member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Oakdale.

Wayne was also preceded in death by his eldest daughter Cindy Wandler. He is survived by two other children Marlena Reese and Gary Higgs; in-laws Jim Wandler, Peter Reese, and Shelayne Higgs. Wayne was the beloved Papa to his four grandchildren Erin Wandler, Lauren (Garrett) Baccala, Adam Reese, and Chase Higgs.

All friends and family are welcome to attend the visitation and Memorial service.

Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, December 15 at Oakdale Memorial Chapel, 830 West F Street, Oakdale.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, December 16 at the First Missionary Baptist Church, 1141 Walnut St., Oakdale.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

The Riverbank (Calif.) News

Dec.14, 2022