Anthony "Monty" Wiggins, Sr.

Anthony "Monty" Wiggins, Sr. passed away at the age of 84 on November 4, 2025. He was born September 22, 1941, in Easley, SC to Bill and Beatrice Wiggins.

Monty's life was filled with love and laughter. He and his wife Linda (Evans) were married for 65 years. His family includes his children Tony (Honey), Diana (Paul), and John (Shelia), grandchildren Laney (Bo), Dustin (Mallory), Brett (Grace), Andy, Luke (Jessica), and Nick, great-grandchildren Sylvia, Margot, Atlas, and Aero, sisters Cynthia (Peter) and Candace (Tia), and sister-in-law Cindy.

Monty loved to tell stories about growing up at the Arial Mill Hill surrounded and raised by his extended family. He told plenty of stories about getting into trouble with his cousins, Terry, Derek, and Roger, and old times in Pickens, SC.

Monty joined the Bates Masonic Lodge as a young man in Easley and proudly wore his Masons ring for 57 years. He was a Shriner and also a longtime member and state president of the SC Moose Association.

Monty's career as a construction manager of nuclear power plants and other large projects took him to places many people only dream of. He and Linda moved around wherever the job took them: From Texas to New Orleans, Las Vegas to Boston, Puerto Rico, and even to Santiago, Chile, where he contributed to the construction of the US Embassy. He was very dedicated to and took great pride in his work and made lifelong friends at every new location.

Monty and Linda traveled together to all 50 states, Europe, South America, and all over the Caribbean. One of his favorite trips was a vacation to Scotland with Tony and John to play golf. He also took each grandchild on their own special trip to the location of their choice when they turned ten years old. He was up for any adventure on those trips, including white water rafting, roller coasters, and spending the night on a haunted ship.

He had an impressive collection of pocket knives and souvenirs from his world travels. Monty loved sitting in the warm sun watching the birds at the feeders in his back yard, occasionally chasing off rodents with a BB gun. He liked driving around town listening to the outlaw country station. He loved a good meal with friends and family (and picking up the check).

Monty had a presence about him that drew people in. It was a quiet confidence and subtle wit combined with an aura of cool and in-charge. He gave off the impression that he might be the smartest man in the room. He perfected the artform of appearing to know more than he actually did. His voice was a soft but very deep bass. When he spoke, people would listen so as not to miss something profound. Usually, it was just a smart-ass comment that would catch everyone off guard for a moment. Maybe he really was the smartest man in the room.

His singing voice was amazing, and in recent years, he sang in the church choir at United Wesleyan Church in Easley. He would occasionally sing songs in public like “Love Me Tender,” “Danny Boy,” and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," but only on his terms and if the situation called for it.

A person that cool with such a commanding presence is bound to have earned a few great nicknames. His friends would often refer to him as “Wig” or “Marty Rock.” Whenever someone used one of these names, it was always accompanied by a mischievous grin.

Monty had another side away from all the coolness. It was a deep love of his family and a big, generous heart. If there was an event involving his grandkids or great-grandkids, he’d be there. He was known for his generosity, always asking, "Does anybody need anything?" He loved slipping his great-grandchildren a $20 bill every time he saw them. It tickled him to sneak it to them behind their parents' backs! Monty cherished the moments spent with his family. The thing he loved most was treating the family to a beach vacation every year, watching the kids play in the sand and surf, playing cards, eating good food, and spending time together.

His loss to family and friends is immeasurable.

Donations in Monty’s memory can be made to the Make-A -Wish Foundation or the Shriners' Hospital for Children.