1921 ~ 2024
Kenneth Joseph Wigton, age 103, passed away on July 22, 2024 in Traverse City, MI. Ken was born on April 6, 1921 to the late Calvin Wigton and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (née Edwards) in Detroit, MI. Ken’s brother, Donald, was born two years later, just days before Calvin died unexpectedly. Following Calvin’s death, Minnie and her sons moved back to her childhood home in Manchester, England for a few years before permanently emigrating to Detroit where she opened a boarding house. Growing up, Ken often spent time with his Aunt Millie and Uncle Billy Bates, who were the gatekeepers for the Gate Lodge at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, MI, which was the Dodge family estate. When he was ten years old, Ken lived at the Gate Lodge and attended fifth grade at the nearby one room schoolhouse. It was there that Ken first met the love of his life, Marie (Smith). Marie lived on the neighboring farm that her father managed for Charles Fisher of Fisher Body. Ken graduated in 1939 from the High School of Commerce in Detroit, where he excelled on the baseball and basketball teams, and was named “All American Boy.” After graduating, Ken missed his tryout with the Detroit Tigers in order to enlist in the Army Air Forces as the US entered WWII. Ken served in General Eisenhower’s headquarters as a stenographer in Europe and North Africa. On May 15, 1942, Ken and Marie were married during a short leave in Wilmington, NC. When Ken returned from WWII, they moved into a house on Third Street in Rochester, MI where they lived for 62 years and raised their eight children. Ken worked briefly as a fashion buyer for Waite’s Department Store before spending the majority of his career as an engineer at General Motors Truck and Coach.
Throughout his life, Ken quietly modeled steadfastness, faithfulness to God and his family, and generosity. Ken was involved in his children’s many projects; he served as a Boy Scout leader for many years, and he enjoyed taking his family camping every summer, often to visit relatives in Rhode Island. Ken was a handyman with multiple talents who seemed to be able to fix anything. He was a brilliant problem solver and approached every challenge with interest and positivity. He taught himself woodworking and carpentry, auto mechanics, electrical, plumbing, welding, and more. Ken played first base in league baseball for many years and played tennis regularly into his 80s. He enjoyed sailing, had his instrument rating in flying small aircraft, and had a lifelong passion for travel. Ken and Marie were faithful and active members of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rochester, MI where Ken was an usher. Ken loved living in Rochester and treasured his friends and neighbors there. In retirement, Ken and Marie spent their winters in Englewood, FL before moving to Cedar, MI to live with his son and daughterin- law, Doug and Jan Wigton. Ken’s favorite foods were oysters on the half shell, cherry pie, and vodka martinis.
