Judge William "Bill" Higgins

Judge William “Bill” Higgins was born September 2nd, 1938, in West Nashville at his parents’ home to Jim and Daisy Higgins. He attended Sylvan Park Elementary and Cohn High School. During his senior year, he was voted by his peers as the President of the Student Body and as the “Most Likely to Succeed,” and he made sure to proudly, kindly, and boldly serve his community all his life. During his senior year, his principal personally drove him to Vanderbilt University to enroll him and sign him up for the ROTC program to help pay tuition. After graduating from Vanderbilt, Bill served two years of active duty in the United States Army Signal Corps, and he later received an honorable discharge from the Army Reserve with the rank of captain. While stationed at Redstone Arsenal, Bill was cruising Shoney’s with an Army buddy when he met the love of his life, Janice. They fell in love over a strawberry pie, and after a year of dating, Bill took Janice on a hike and popped the question. Bill and Janice were married on the base in 1962. Back in Nashville, Bill continued his education at the YMCA Night Law School, and upon graduating, he started a law practice on 46th and Charlotte. He practiced for 13 years, and in 1971, he began what would become three terms as a Metro Councilman representing District 24—the same neighborhood where he was born and raised. In 1980, he was elected Judge of the Davidson County General Sessions Court, Division VII and retired in 2022. Even though he retired, he wanted to continue to serve, and Bill worked alongside his son at The Higgins Firm as Of Council, where Bill judged himself, “The Good Looking One!” Whether he was setting someone free or handing out a sentence, Bill was never without a smile. His life reflected an unwavering devotion to family, public service, and his community. He enjoyed fishing and golfing trips with his friends and loved making jokes and memories with his family, especially when there was food around. He lived life to the full, and he is sure to be dancing along to bluegrass or jazz, judging every one of us, “The Best Friends of All!” He is survived by his loving wife, Janice; his sister, Linda Rhine; his children, Julie, Jill, and Jim; grandchildren, Tanner, Mary Michael, Maddie, Will, Mallie, Danny, and Rebecca; and great-grandchildren, Carter, Walker, and Sadie. The visitation will be held at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, 1949 Old Hickory Blvd. Brentwood, TN 37027, on Thursday from 4:00–7:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ on Friday at 11:00 a.m., with a private family burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Youth Encouragement Services (Y.E.S.) or the Rochelle Center, two organizations close to Bill’s and Janice’s hearts.

Judge William "Bill" Higgins

September 2, 1938 - August 11, 2025