James A. Wigton, 87, of Butler, Pennsylvania, passed away on May 20, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Hospice at Concordia.
He was born September 3, 1931 in Butler, Pennsylvania to the late Frank T. Wigton Sr. and the late Helen McKelvey Wigton.
He was a graduate of Butler High School in 1950. Jim attended Clarion State University. He later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a masters degree in Social Work.Jim retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections as the Deputy Superintendent of the State Correctional Institution (Western Penitentiary) in Pittsburgh.After his retirement he worked part-time at the Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center in the Emergency Services department until 2000. Jim was a Presbyterian and served in the army during the Korean War.He volunteered as a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 20 years.He was a life member of the Butler County Law Enforcement Officers Association. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 249, The American Legion Post 0945 of Cabot, PA, the N.R.A. and the Pennsylvania Prison Wardens Association.Jim enjoyed hunting, gardening and his camp on the Allegheny River in Warren County.
James is survived by his two sons, Richard Wigton of Mechanicsburg, PA, Timothy Wigton of Butler, PA; two grandchildren, Timothy Wigton, Jr., and Nicole Wigton; one great-grandchild, Kaylee Wigton; one sister-in-law, Barbara Wigton of Butler, PA.; several nephews and nieces.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Smith Wigton, who he married on June 9, 1956 and who passed away on January 13, 2019; three brothers, Dr. F.T. Wigton, and both R. William Wigton and Richard M. Wigton were killed in Europe during WWII.
Friends will be received Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Thompson – Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street Butler, PA.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.at the Thompson – Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, PA 16001, with Reverend Gordon Powell, officiating.
Private burial will take place in the Butler County Memorial Park.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.