FAIRFIELD- Wayne A. Higgins, the man, the myth the legend aka "Papa" 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday March 27, 2026. He was the son of Clarence & Laura (Cloutier) Higgins. Wayne attended Albion schools and graduated from Besse High in 1967 where he was Vice President of his class, member of the B Club, yearbook Staff and a Graduation usher. He had a love for sports and played Baseball and Basketball. He was the captain of his basketball team and shared that love and passion with his daughter, Dawn Anne. You could always find him in his Lawrence Bulldogs or UMF attire cheering her on from the stands. Wayne enlisted in the Marines shortly after high school and graduated from bootcamp on Feb. 9th, 1968 where he then served in the Vietnam War. After being injured, he moved from combat to Military Police. He was appointed Corporal in 1969. Following the Marines, he joined the Army National Guard where he was staff sergeant and retired after 22 years. His dedication to his country earned him the following achievements: Purple Heart, Silver Star Honorable Service, Certificate of Appreciation from the Citizens of Maine, Army Achievement, Certificate of Recognition National Guard, Good Conduct, Award of Navy Achievement w/Combat "V", Combat action Ribbon, National Defense, Vietnamese Service. Papa worked many jobs where he was a jack of all trades and master of none. He loved spending time with his family and would never miss an opportunity to be there and support them through all their activities and accomplishments. During the summertime, he enjoyed camping, four wheeling and watching Nascar. You would catch him at Scott and Dawn's kennel, Country K9 & Cats, mowing the lawn and being their handyman, whether they needed it or not. No one was ever a stranger to him, and he was always up for small talk. If you ever wanted to know what was going on in the neighborhood, you could always ask him because he knew. During football season, you would find him watching his beloved Cowboys and coaching from his chair regardless of what the score was. Papa was everyone's first call. Whether it was good, bad or asking for help, papa was there. He had an ear for everyone; the "go-to" person. He survived by the love of his life, Elaine, for 45 years, his children; Rachel Woodbury of Fairfield, Dawn Anne Higgins of Texas, Don Woodbury and his wife Heather of Fairfield, James Woodbury and wife Erin of Winslow and Dawn Hallee-Higgins of Winslow. His grandkids; Brittny Audet and husband Johnathan, Matthew Woodbury and wife Ashley, Anthony Breton, Frannie Higgins, Austin Woodbury, Rylee Gehrke, Bailey Carter and wife Sarah, Kiera Whetzel and husband Taylor, Kody Currie, Anthony Park, Brielle Gage and husband Nicholas, Issac Griffeth, Dakota Woodbury and fiancé Zac, Ayva Woodbury, Wyatt Woodbury, Indiana Woodbury. His great grandkids; Elaina, Bellamie, Carter, Abby, Greyson, Colin, Grady, Raelyn, Paisley, Lauren, Oakley, Eleanor, Scottie Mae, Lillian. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his son Scott "Scoot", his great grandsons Griffin Woodbury and Noah Robichaud, along with his brothers Mike, Clyde, Clifton, Clarence "Joe", Freeman and his best friend Floyd "Gene" Parton. He left behind his lifetime family and friends Joe & Buffy, Freddie, Mickey & Noreen, Dave & Michelle, Wayne & Mary and Margo & Mike. Wayne's visiting hours will be held at the Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers Funeral Home (8 Elm Street, Waterville, ME) on April 2nd, 2026, from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm. His Military Honors Funeral Service will be held at the Maine Veteran's Memorial Cemetery (143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta, ME) on April 3rd, 2026, at Noon. The Celebration of Life, following the service, will be held at the Winslow VFW (175 Veteran's Drive, Winslow, ME) on Saturday, April 4th, 2026, from 1:00pm- 4:00pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Arrangements are in the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers Funeral Home (8 Elm Street, Waterville, ME) where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at vrlfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: D.A.V ( Disabled American Veterans) 860 Dolwick Drive Erlanger, KY 41018 Website: help.dav.org