Charles Wiggins

Charlie Wiggins passed away peacefully on May 27th on Bainbridge Island due to complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 77. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who was respected and loved by many.

Charlie’s life was shaped by his kindness, optimism, and a deep passion for justice. This passion took him from Albania, where he assisted in the judiciary's transition to democracy, to the Washington State Supreme Court, where he served from 2010 until his retirement in 2020.

When looking back on his time as a Supreme Court Justice, Charlie considered the McCleary vs. Washington decision to be the most impactful of his tenure. This ruling resulted in the state increasing funding for basic K-12 education by billions of dollars.

Prior to serving on the Court, Charlie operated a law firm on Bainbridge Island specializing in appellate law and served as a judge on the Washington Court of Appeals. His legal career began in 1976 at the firm Edwards, Sieh, Wiggins & Hathaway. It was on the ferry commuting from his home on Bainbridge Island to the law firm in Seattle where he met his wife, Nancy.

Giving back was always important to Charlie. A dedicated member of Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church, he served as an elder and joined youth mission trips to build homes in Tijuana. In 2010, the Kitsap Bar Association honored Charlie with its Humanitarian Award for organizing attorneys to build homes for single mothers. In 2004, he was named Volunteer of the Year by the Union Gospel Mission legal clinic and also served as president of the Washington Chapter of the American Judicature Society. Over the years he also volunteered with many other organizations.

Charlie never sat still. Some of his hobbies included building a wooden kayak, digging geoducks, juggling, and re-enacting the Washington State Constitutional Convention in costume. He snowboarded well into his seventies, much to his family’s dismay. All family trips included Charlie dragging along his fancy case of poker chips, in hopes of starting a game or two. Charlie was never without his signature bow tie in court or in the office. His collection numbered well over 100.

As the son of a career warrant officer, Charlie grew up around the world. When Charlie was two, the family transferred via troop ship to Panama at the tail end of a hurricane. Much to Charlie’s delight, his crib rolled port to starboard across the cabin, possibly spawning his lifelong love of boating. He and his family enjoyed many boating trips to the San Juans.

He graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University and received his Juris Doctorate from Duke Law School.

Charlie is survived by his wife Nancy, their children Amy (Michael) and Sam (Kayla), his grandchildren Jude and Thora, and his three sisters, Jane, Helen, and Elizabeth. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Jane Wiggins.

Donations can be made in his honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Union Gospel Mission.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 2 at 2:00PM at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church on Bainbridge Island. The family invites you to wear a favorite bow tie to the memorial service.

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.