In 1969, Willie Higgs became the first African American man to receive an apprenticeship in plumbing at the U-M. He was also the first black tradesman to work in University Housing. Although not part of his job, for 34 years he also enjoyed serving as the "net puller" at football games in the Big House so that field goals didn't go into the stands.

Willie was born in 1947 in Milan, Michigan, the second of twelve children. His parents divorced, and Willie was raised by his great aunt and great uncle. He says he was lucky because his great uncle was a good role model and a stable male figure in his life. He also taught Willie about plumbing. Willie went to high school in Milan, but says he got his education "in the bowels of the University of Michigan." His on-the-job training through several decades taught him everything he needed to know to serve the university as a Plumber-Steamfitter, and maintain the heaters, boilers, and pumps throughout the Ann Arbor campuses.

When Willie retired from the U-M in 2003, University Housing threw him a retirement party at Bursley Hall. Over 300 people came, including his mother and two grown sons.

In a jesting nod to his many years spent servicing plumbing emergencies, the large ice carving on the head table was of a toilet, with a big "M" on the top, overflowing with shrimp in the (toilet) bowl. Willie remembers it well, but of course that would be hard to forget.

At 66, Willie is happily married to a retired nurse, enjoys reading about cars and car history, watching U-M football, and working three days a week as a plumbing inspector for the City of Ann Arbor.

When asked about his life journey, he says, "Today I like to put my hands up, look up to the heavens and say somebody up there likes me-I have been blessed."

- Jan Schlain