Willie Clare Ingram Heinz Obituary
Willie Clare (Ingram) Heinz, 93, of Bogalusa, LA passed away peacefully in her sleep December 8, 2023, at her home in Hattiesburg, MS.
Willie Clare was born in Bogalusa, LA to parents Reverend Archie Clarence and Margaret Cathrine (McNair) Ingram. She graduated from Southeastern College in 1952 with a degree in education, and she taught English at Bogalusa Junior High School until her marriage to Robert Eugene "Bob" Heinz in July of 1955. Though she would devotedly turn her attention to raising her family, Willie Clare enjoyed a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, and she was all too happy to share this pursuit with us. She often shared books and word puzzles with her children and grandchildren, and she was always reading, sometimes two or more books a week.
She loved to sew and knit, gifting many dresses, hats, and scarves made by her loving hands, and she crocheted multitudes of little animal friends to delight her great-grandchildren. She was always saving little gifts to give to you. It could be clippings found in those magazines of hers or items sent to her from one of the charities she supported. She would collect these little things, saving them to give to just the right person, as she was always thinking of you. She was a very thoughtful and generous woman. She also had quite the memory, and her mind remained sharp, slower, but still sharp, to the end of her life. It was a treat to ask her about her trips or tell her about ours.
And, oh, could she talk! On the phone, or in person, but especially with one person in particular: her sister, Nancy. Gran would be in the back for what seemed like HOURS on the phone with Nancy. She talked about anything and everything and loved to reminisce about the past. But she was comfortable to sit with you in silence, as well. She would do her crosswords, or read, or go through her mail, and it was enough to see her face light up to have a visitor.
She was a compassionate woman, her love wide and generous, and her person gentle and lowly. A bit like the Queen, she was reserved, noble, and dignified. She was a true Southern lady in that way, and she will be greatly missed by her family. There are some things we're going to have to miss getting her two cents on, like baking tips and grammar advice, but like she was always fond of saying, "You'll have to Google it!". Family Who Went Before Willie Clare (known as "Bill" by family and close friends) was preceded in death by her husband Robert Eugene "Bob" Heinz, parents Reverend Archie Clarence "A. C." and Margaret Cathrine (McNair) Ingram of Smith County, MS, sisters Edith Ingram Haarala and Ruth Ingram Bader of Bogalusa, LA, and Margaret Ingram Duncan of Birmingham, AL, and grandson Jonathan James Frisch of Hattiesburg, MS.
Family. She Leaves Behind. She is survived by her four children as well as her sister, Nancy Ingram Longley of Granbury, TX. Willie Clare's children are Robert Eugene "Bobby" Heinz II (Tammy) of Hattiesburg, MS, Sarah Catherine "Kay" Heinz Bergquist (Brian) of Van Alstyne, TX, Margaret Clare Heinz Frisch (Jim) of Hattiesburg, MS, and William David Heinz (Rebecca) of Watson, LA.
She is also survived by ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Robert and Tammy's children are daughter, Ashley Heinz Pierce (Cody) and their children, William, Zooey, Waylon, and Eleanor; son, Stephen Heinz (Ana) and their children, McKenzie, Mason, and Micah. Kay and Brian's children are daughter, Sara Bergquist Thomas (Jason) and their children, Ryker, Reese, and Robyn; daughter, Rachel Bergquist Beckworth (Benjamin) and their children, Byrom and Wyatt; son, Nathan Bergquist (Kaci) and their children, Parker and Peyton. Margaret and Jim's children are daughters, Katherine Frisch and Rebekah Frisch. David and Rebecca's children are daughters, Hannah Heinz, Hayley Heinz, and Hope Heinz.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa, LA at 11:00 A.M. Interment to follow at Ponemah Cemetery in Bogalusa.
