William “Bill” Haggard, 72, of Herculaneum died May 17, 2024, at de Greeff Hospice House in St. Louis. Mr. Haggard graduated from Herculaneum High School in 1969, Jefferson College in 1971 and Southeast Missouri State University in 1973. He was a 50-year volunteer of the Herculaneum Fire Department, spent 35 years as Fire Chief, taught biology at Hillsboro High School for 32 years and he was mayor of Herculaneum for 13 years. He also served on the Dunklin R-V School board, Jefferson County Historical Society, Jefferson County Fire Fighters Association and was a member of the Blackcat Hall of Fame. Born Oct. 30, 1951, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Margaret Alice Schultz and Casey Glenwood Haggard.
He is survived by his longtime companion: Rosie O’Shaughnessy; two sisters: Beverly (Bill) Nausley of De Soto and Tina (Lynden) Sherman of Branson West; nieces and nephew: Elizabeth (Bill) Steffen, Jennifer (Rich) Foveaux, Melissa (Mike) Speck and Andrew (Allison) Nausley; and many other family members and friends.
Visitation is scheduled from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, May 24, at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Herculaneum Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Backstoppers or the de Greeff Hospice House. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.