February 16, 2021
Chief William Emerson Higgins, 82, of Salisbury, Md., passed away Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional. Born in Seaford, he was the son of the late Emerson G. Higgins and Sarah Elizabeth Graham Higgins.
Bill, also known as “Pinky,” was a 1956 graduate of Seaford High School. He earned his nickname from wearing pink socks in high school. In 1959 Bill was appointed as a police officer with the Seaford Police Department. He retired in 1980 as a lieutenant after 21 years of service. He also served as chief of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department. In 1980, he was appointed deputy chief of the City of Salisbury Fire Department and served in that position until 1992 at which time he was selected to be the fire chief. In 2000, he retired and worked part time with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in Court Security. He was involved with leadership and administrative duties at Salisbury Fire Station No. 2 up to the time of his death.