Ira Lester Wigglesworth

Posted on December 1, 2017

Ira Lester Wigglesworth, 96, passed away peacefully at Hunter’s Crossing Place in Gainesville, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Doris.
Lester was born in Fenholloway Aug. 18, 1920, and grew up in Waycross, Ga.
Following Lester’s discharge from the military in 1946, the Wigglesworth family moved to Gainesville and became devoted members of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Lester was in the masonry contracting business, Wigglesworth Brothers Masonry Contractors, Inc., until his retirement in 1982.
He was an avid fisherman, who was loved and respected by everyone. He will be profoundly missed.
Lester is survived by: his children, Ira Lester Wigglesworth Jr. and partner, Ethel “Effy,” of Gainesville, and Dana W. Dickson and husband, L. James “Jim” Dickson, of Clearwater; three granddaughters, Kim Merlin, Kelly Ramirez and Melissa Mitchell; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Hazel Beverly, of Jackson, Tenn., and a brother, Clyde, of Jacksonville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Haven Hospice of Gainesville, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m., at Wesley United Methodist Church, 826 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville.
A private graveside service will be held at Forest Meadows East with military honors.
Services are in the care of Milam Funeral and Cremation Services of Gainesville.