Dana Wiggins

Obituary of Dana Lee Wiggins

Dana Lee Wiggins was born October 2, 1946 in Las Vegas, NV.  He passed away October 15, 2020 at Nathan Adleson Hospice.  He was predeceased by parents Ernest Samuel Wiggins, a WW II disabled veteran, and Virginia Alice Wiggins, born Youngman.

A scholarship to Bishop Gorman High School provided Dana with a college prep education.  He supplemented the family income working as bus boy and security for different casinos.   He went on to play football for the AZ Sun Devils until he sustained a scholarship-ending knee injury.  He joined the US Army, ultimately serving three tours in Vietnam.  He left the service having earned service medals including a Bronze Star \wOLC, Purple Heart\wOLC.

Returning home to Henderson, he met and married Anna Hill; making a family with her and step-daughter Tiana Hill.  They had a son, Ernest Samuel and a daughter, Virginia Ellis.  Dana worked as a union Millwright following the work as needed.  He lost his wife to a car accident before the children attended elementary school.  His fourth marriage was to Jana Susan Jung Turner, making him stepfather to Tamsen Turner (now Tamsen Tonner).   Mrs. Wiggins served as Chief Assistant to the Labor Commissioner during the Bryan and Miller administration.

During his tenure as Nevada's Assistant Millwright Business Agent Dana gained valuable experience as a registered lobbyist to the Nevada Legislature, an organizer, Trustee for union benefit funds and a successful defender of UBC jurisdiction at the National Board of Jurisdiction.  When he was appointed interim head of the short-lived Silver State Council of Carpenters, he used all of his training to keep the trade safe and productive for everyone.   He remained a proud member of the UBC to the end of his life.

Dana spent the end of his career working at the Associated General Contractors of Las Vegas, hired by Steve Halloway.  He sat on the State Apprenticeship Council at the State level.  He served on multiple area union trusts, workforce investment boards and pension funds.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Jana Wiggins, his brother Deacon James Wiggins;  children Ernie Wiggins, Virginia Wiggins and Tamsen Tonner; Grandchildren Brittni, Jeffrey, Drake, Jalen, Jaycee, Kira and Jacen and Greatgrandchildren Anthony, Aiden, Dallas and Jaziah.

A private service and graveside burial was held on October 19, 2020 at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, NV.

 

Monday
1
January

Final Resting Place

Monday, January 1, 1753
Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
1900 Veterans Memorial Drive
Boulder City, Nevada, United States
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