Life Legacy

On January 5, 1932, Joseph David Diggs and Jessie E. Bell Diggs were blessed with a handsome baby boy, William David Diggs in Washington, DC. He grew up in a loving home where he was always taught the word of God. He departed this life on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina.

William received his formal education in the public schools of Rockville, Maryland. After graduating from high school, he was drafted into the military where he entered into the United States Air Force and honorably served his country for twenty years.

While serving in the U.S. Air Force, William married at an early age and that union was blessed with six children, five beautiful daughters and one handsome son, (Debra, Pamela, Karen Elly, Kelly and Joel), whom he loved very much.

After William retired from the U.S. Air Force, he began his second career with the State of South Carolina. He was employed with the South Carolina Employment Security Commission as Director of Job Services for twenty years. William was always very strict on details in the workplace. He always served his community well. While working with the S.C. Employment Security Commission, he met and married Annie Ruth Frazier and moved to Alvin, SC. This union was blessed with another beautiful daughter, Christle and another handsome son, David Lejai. Annie Ruth preceded him into Heaven.

William continued his service to the people, especially in the Alvin community. He was one of the founding members of the Alvin Rural Fire Department, Company 17, where he was Captain and Chairman of the Board, serving diligently until his health began to fail. He was also a member of Laurel Hill Lodge No. 193, P.H.F. & A.M., where he served as Past Master. William also was a charter member of Thurgood Marshall Consistory No. 367, A.A.S.R., where he was a Past Commander-in-Chief and Grand Inspector General of the 33rd Degree. William was truly loved, respected and appreciated by all, especially his immediate family.

He leaves to cherish his memories: two sons, David Lejai Diggs of Alvin, SC and Joel A. Diggs of Vancouver, Canada; six daughters, Debra K. Young of Renton, WA, Pamela Diggs of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Karen I. Diggs of Renton, WA, Elly Henry of Long Beach, CA, Kelly Diggs of Tacoma, WA and Christle (William) Burdines of Goose Creek, SC; two brothers, Maurice (Beulah) Diggs of Germantown, MD and Wendell (Claudette) Diggs of Gaithersburg, MD; one sister, Delores (Francis) Robinson of Germantown, MD; one sister-in-law, Ruby M. Beaufort of Neptune, NJ; two brothers-in-law, David (Ella) Frazier of Florence, SC and Lester (Patty) Frazier of Bronx, NY; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; special friends, Calvin Beauford, Henry Green, Deacon Peter Prioleau, Hercules Brown and Wayne Gourdine; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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