The Lee University family said “good-bye” last month to William “Bill” Higginbotham, a man who served on Lee’s Board of Directors longer than any other individual in history. As a young businessman from Oklahoma, he was first appointed to the board in 1972 and witnessed dozens of fellow trustees – and presidents – come and go during his record-setting tenure. Higginbotham served on the university’s governing body until his death on Feb. 13.

“What Bill Higginbotham accomplished as a member of the Lee board has never been equaled in our history” said Dr. Paul Conn, president of Lee University. “He has been a part of every major decision and an influence in every major achievement, over a forty-year period. His importance to Lee cannot be overstated.”

Originally from Ada, Oklahoma, Higginbotham began a career in the oil field following high school and worked his way up to starting his own business. During a diversified business career, he owned and managed many enterprises, but his core business of providing services to oil drilling and production companies in and around Oklahoma City remained the same throughout his career.

In 1956, Higginbotham married his wife Betty Walker and raised their four children in Oklahoma. Following Betty’s death, he remarried to Janie Whitley, his wife of 29 years. He was a charter member and actively involved in Southern Hills Church of God his whole life until Parkinson’s disease impaired his mobility over the past few years. Higginbotham was known for enjoying good food, afternoon naps, playing golf, boating, swimming, fishing, playing cards, cheering for the Sooners, and most of all, sharing a laugh with friends.

In addition to his leadership on the Lee board, Higginbotham and his wife Janie have been among Lee’s most consistent and generous financial supporters.

“With the passing of Bill Higginbotham, a significant part of Lee University history changes,” said Conn. “We will miss him around the board table, and across the university family.”

A memorial service in his honor was held on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.