Arthur Biggs, 84 , of Columbia, Utah; Rocks Springs, WY; and Provo, Utah died March 21, 2000 in Provo, Utah.
He was born October 10, 1915 in Varteg, South Wales, England to George M. Biggs and Amelia Maud Carey. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1924. On November 8, 1935 he married Louise Lund Dennison in Consumers, Carbon County, Utah. They later divorced in 1938. On October 4, 1941 he married Katherine Marie Motte in Salt Lake City. They were later divorced in 1984.He worked as a coal miner in South Wales from 1929-1930, joining the British Miners Federation of Labor. He immigrated with his parents to America, the beautiful, and "the land of opportunity" in September of 1930, settling in our beloved Columbia, Carbon County, which was truly exciting. He enjoyed owning a radio, getting acquainted and enjoying America. He attended school at Sunnyside from 1930-1933. He was employed as a coal miner for Columbia Steel Corp. in Columbia, Utah from 1933-1950. He became a charter member of the local Union 6089, District 22., United Mine Workers of America in June 1933. This was made possible by President Roosevelt's (FDR) "New Deal" legislation, Sec.7A of the WAGNA Act, that established labor's right to organize and bargain collectively to compete with industry. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America on June 10, 1938 in Price, Utah. He was elected Secretary, Local Union 6089, also a member of the mine committee, one of three, to adjudicate all disputes and grievances arising in and around the mining operation for two year terms from 1942-1950. He was elected Secretary of the Carbon County Miners' Executive Union Council UMWA from 1946-1949. He served as UMWA Lobbyist at the Utah State Legislature from 1946-1949 and was elected International Policy Committeeman for District 22, Utah -Wyoming, participating in National Coal contract negotiations in 1947 and 1948. He was then elected Secretary-Treasurer, District 22, UMWA, 4 year terms from 1950-1962, headquartered in Rock Springs, WY. He was elected Inernational Executive Board Member, District 22, UMWA, 4 year term from 1962-1970. He was then appointed International Executive Board Member President, Secretary-Treasurer of District 15, UMWA, New Mexico-Colorado which was headquartered in Denver. This subsequently included Northern Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, Washington, North Dakota, and Alaska from 1967-1974. He was appointed as the International President, UMWA, Washington, D.C. in 1974 until his retirement in 1975. He attended District and International conventions from 1941-1975. He considered it a distinct honor and high privilege to have served under the inspired and dynamic leadership of International President John L. Lewis and associates, representing and speaking for the coal miners.
He was enthused with the early history of the West and enjoyed dancing, fishing, and traveling, especially visiting Wales. His main hobby was collecting and recording music since the 1930's. He was an ardent Democrat.
Survivors include three daughters: Rosalie Helen Edd, Gainesville, FL; Gwendolyn Kay Larson, Rock Springs, WY; Kathleen Marie Sorenson, Lehi, UT; granddaughters: Karla Edd, Denver; Colorado; Shawna Sorenson, and Katherine Katie Sorenson of Lehi, UT; grandsons: Chad Larson, Las Vegas, NV; and Cael Carey Sorenson, Lehi, UT. He was preceded in death by: a son, Carey Arthur Biggs in 1976; brothers Alfred Willard Biggs in 1991 and Harold John Biggs in 1924; and a great-grandson, Eddie Booher in 1996.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2000 at 12 noon in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at the Walker Mortuary of Provo, 85 East 300 South, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the charity of your choice. the charity of your choice.