Lt. Col. Joe Kenneth Piggott

PIGGOTT Lt. Col. Joe Kenneth Piggott, age 95, passed away at the Veteran Memorial Home in Kosciusko, MS on March 7, 2015. Born July 13, 1919 in Stockham, Nebraska to Joe and Elsie Piggott, Joe attended a one room school house through the 8th grade before graduating from Stockham High School in 1937 where he was active in all sports. After graduation, he farmed for three years and then worked at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, CA. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps earning his wings as a navigator guiding the B-29 Superfortress in WW II. After being honorably discharged in 1945 to continue his education at the University of Nebraska, he graduated with a degree in agriculture. Following graduation, he mapped soils for the state of Nebraska. With the start of the Korean War, he was recalled to active duty by the Air Force where he flew on the RB-47 bomber reconnaissance aircraft. In 1953, he met and married Air Force nurse, Virginia Callaway. His career in the Air Force continued through the Vietnam War where he flew on C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and finally retired as a Lt. Col. in 1967 to Gulf Shores, AL. After retiring from the Air Force, he spent his time using his skills as a craftsman working with wood to build houses, piers and sea walls. Joe was an active member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, AL and Calvary Baptist Church in Foley, AL. After moving to Starkville, MS in 2006 he joined Faith Baptist Church. Joe is preceded in death by parents, Joe and Elsie Piggott; sisters, Kathleen Willcock and Sylvia Miller; and son Jed Piggott. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Virginia Callaway Piggott; daughters Melissa and her husband Barry Mixon of Starkville, MS and Wendy and her husband Dan Smythe of Huntsville, AL; four grandchildren Jessica and Zach Mixon of Starkville and Jonah and Sam Smythe of Huntsville. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Jubilee Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Daphne, AL at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a donations in his name to the church or charity of your choice. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251)990-7775 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com