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Former NSGA Chairman Walter Biggs Passes Away at Age 89
MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS (April 29, 2019) – The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) recently learned that Walter F. Biggs, Jr., who served the association as Chairman of the Board, passed away on April 7, at the age of 89. Biggs served as NSGA Board Chairman in 1976, and was president of Biggs Sporting Goods in Pensacola, Florida until 1988.
“Mr. Biggs was devoted to the Sporting Goods Industry, and made many lifelong friends through NSGA, as his obituary describes,” said NSGA President & CEO Matt Carlson. “We offer our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of this American hero.”
Biggs served in the US Army, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service during the Korean War. When he returned home, he joined the family business, Biggs Sporting Goods, which operated three locations in Pensacola.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter F. “Slick” Biggs and Antoinette DiLustro “Net” Biggs; his wife of 58 years, Margaret Cary “Molly” Biggs; and his sister, Betty Ann Biggs Hite.
He is survived by his children, Cary Biggs Kearny (Ric) of Baton Rouge, LA, Beau Biggs (Shay), Margaret Biggs, and George Biggs (Liz), 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all from Pensacola.
Services honoring Mr. Biggs were held on April 10, 2019 at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Pensacola. The Biggs family would appreciate donations made to the Salvation Army or the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, in Walter’s memory.
About the National Sporting Goods Association
Since 1929, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has been the leading voice and go-to resource for sporting goods retailers and dealers. NSGA helps the industry grow the business through research, advocacy and networking. For more information about membership or NSGA’s products and services, please visit nsga.org.
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