Community Remembers Wigger’s Life Beyond the Track and Field

ALTON — Family and community members will gather this week at First Presbyterian Church in Alton to remember James O. “Jim” Wigger, a longtime teacher and coach whose track and cross-country teams won state titles and whose influence extended for decades in the area.

Wigger's sons - Brad, Steve, and John - wanted to make sure the public was aware of the visitation and memorial service slated for this weekend in Alton.

Wigger, known to many as “Coach Wigger,” died Nov. 11, 2025, according to information provided by his family. A visitation is scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a memorial service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. A private burial will be at Alton City Cemetery.

Wigger worked for the Alton school system from 1957 to 1992. As a coach, he led teams in track and cross-country. He recorded three state championships in track and field in 1963, 1964, and 1967. He also initiated the annual Great River Road Run in 1958.

Russ Colona, director of the Great River Road Race and East Alton-Wood River’s boys and girls track and field and cross country head coach, said Wigger’s impact in track and field and cross country in the area was lasting.

“He was legendary from the 60s on - anybody who knows about area track and field or cross country knows he probably started it all for this area," Colona said. "The athletes he coached set a standard for people to hit."

Colona also pointed to Wigger’s presence at the Great River Road Race that he started.

“He started the Great River race, and he would be there at the race until he couldn't anymore, giving the runners applause and cheering them on,” Colona said.

Oscar Wallace, a former state champion long jumper coached by Wigger, recalled Wigger’s approach to training.

“Coaching was his life. He would always have something new to bring to the table, and he would get you there like no other coach I had,” Wallace said. “He had you working out hard and enjoying him.”

Wallace said Wigger’s influence went beyond competition.

“He was a good man,” Wallace said. “I think about him every day. Won’t be another person like him.”

Colona said Coach Wigger inspired him with his approach to coaching.

"His toughness pushed those kids hard to do what they did, and they listened to him and responded. His athletes were so loyal to him. I have never heard anything bad about him. The special bond between him and his athletes never ends."

The Jim Wigger Track on State Street was named in his honor in 1997, and he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Alton Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Wigger was born Jan. 19, 1931, in Potosi, Mo. He served four years in the U.S. Navy, earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University, and a master’s degree from Northeast Missouri State.

In 1957, he married Emily Nell Simpson, and they made their home in Alton.

Wigger was preceded in death by his wife, Emily. He is survived by his sons Brad (Jane) of Louisville, Kentucky; Steve (Ann) of Port Angeles, Washington; and John (Kim) of Naperville, Illinois; six grandchildren, David, Cora, Patrick, Lena, Adam, and Jackson; and two great-grandchildren, Elly and Jacob.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the newly formed Wigger Memorial Scholarship Fund, administered through the Alton Educational Foundation, with donations sent through https://altoned.org/to credit the Wigger Scholarship Fund.

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