George Edward Wigger, 91, a retired pastor and teacher, died peacefully April 18 , 2021, in his assisted living center apartment in Houston surrounded by family. He was born May 31, 1929, in St. Louis, Mo., to Verba Edith (Hoff) Wigger and Chester Orville Wigger. He was the oldest of six children.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ina Elizabeth (Talley) Wigger of Mexico, Mo., who died in 2019. He also was preceded in death by his brother Kenneth Wigger and his sister Alleen (Wigger) Glick.

Survivors include his oldest daughter, Linda Ruth (Wigger) Clark, and her son, Craig Edward Clark, and Craig's wife, Johanna (Zamarron) Clark, all of Houston. He also is survived by his youngest daughter, Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp, and son-in-law E. Darrell Crisp, M.D., of Belton, Texas. Other survivors include his brother Jim Wigger and his wife, Emily, of Alton, Ill.; sister Shirley (Wigger) Patterson and her husband, Carl, of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; and sister Pat (Wigger) DeClue of De Soto, Mo. Also mourning his loss are many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

While still a toddler, his parents moved the family to a community near Bonne Terre, Mo., called "Barely Do" and then to Melzo, Mo. His dad and an uncle built a two-room log house at "Three Hill Creek" deep in the Ozark Mountains of south central Missouri, where he enjoyed some of the fondest years (ages 4-8) of his boyhood. Adolescent years found him in Vineland, Mo., before the family settled in De Soto, Mo., where he graduated high school in 1948. He received his associate's degree from Hannibal LaGrange College (now University) in Hannibal, Mo.; his bachelor of arts degree from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.; and his master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He took postgraduate courses in education at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.

A retired paster after serving Baptist churches for 34 years in Missouri and Texas, he shunned the title "Reverend" and instead preferred to be called "Brother Ed" or "Brother Wigger" by  church members. He also enjoyed the nickname "Mr. Ed," taken from the former TV show about a talking horse. He also taught school for 20 years, primarily in the intermediate school grades in the subjects of math, history, and English. He remained active in retirement for many years, working part time as a social worker at a community of residents with disabilities in Tomball, Texas. He also led a Bible study group at a local YMCA and served as a minister for Sunday services at several assisted living centers.

He was a longtime member of Champion Forest Baptist Church, where he led a Sunday school class for many years in retirement. His hobbies included gardening (especially raised-bed gardens), fishing, and reading. He was a voracious reader and tended to read a few chapters in multiple books daily, in addition to his Bible reading. One of his passions was to help provide direction for those considering ministry vocations.

He requested a simple, private graveside service only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Houston Baptist University directed to the Office of Advancement in memory of Ed Wigger. These gifts will go to a scholarship fund for aspiring ministers. Memorial gifts may be sent to: Office of Advancement, Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX, 77074, or be made online at: hbu.edu/giving. Those wishing to do so may sign an online guest book at Klein Funeral Home's website: www.kleinfh.com .