William "Bill" Riggs Jr., age 84, passed away peacefully, in comfort and with dignity, at his home in Rehoboth Beach, DE on Friday, April 19th, 2024. He was born in DuBois, PA on October 12th, 1939 to William Elbert Riggs Sr. and Billie Jean Newmeyer Riggs. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Barbara, their children Michael, Mark and Jennifer, daughters in-law Raji and Joann, his grandchildren Amanda, Chaya, Katherine and Billy, his great-grandchildren Julia and August; his sister Jan Riggs Kirik and her husband Rick of Pooler, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Louise Naylor Riggs, sister Susan Riggs Barrell, niece Julie McKee Kirik, and nephew Ian Barrell.

Bill grew up in Mount Pleasant, PA and was a member of the Ramsey High School graduating class of 1958. He played football at Ramsey and maintained friendships with many of his classmates, attending class reunions throughout the years.  He enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1959, and served until being honorably discharged in January 1963. He was deployed on the USS Shangri-La, the largest ship in the US Navy's fleet at the time, and sailed around the world, including going "around the horn". He also enjoyed his time when he   was based in Keflavik, Iceland. He earned entry into several exclusive Naval groups: the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep, the Brotherhood of Sea Dogs, and served his country with honor and distinction.

After leaving the Navy, he settled in the Washington, DC area, met his wife Barbara (Burnett) and married on June 10th, 1972. They moved to New Carrollton, MD where they lived for 30+ years, and were very active in the community, especially the New Carrollton Boys & Girls Club and the New Carrollton Pool. His true passion was being involved in his children's and grandchildren's lives in every way possible which included coaching, teaching and guiding them through life. He worked for several large electrical companies including Pepco, Wesco, and he retired as Regional Collection Manager for Branch Electric. Upon retiring in 2000, he and Barbara moved to Rehoboth Beach, DE and built a home that could accommodate family and lots of visitors. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, University of Maryland athletics, music of all types but especially jazz, political debate, and spending time with family and friends. He especially valued the time spent with the Stafford Road neighbors, enjoying shared time outside in the yards and socializing. Later in his retirement he converted to Catholicism and became a parishioner, and daily mass attendee, at St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and volunteered with many charitable groups.

Bill was a man of deep faith, and loved God above all. During his illness, his trust in Jesus strengthened him, and he was never afraid during his journey to eternal life.

A visitation will be held beginning at 11 am on Monday, May 6 at St Edmond Roman Catholic Church, followed by military honors, and A Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12:00 noon.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Bill's name to St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church ( www.stedmond.org ) , any Respect Life organization, or Special Olympics-Montgomery County ( www.somdmontgomery.org/support/ ).

The funeral mass will be live streamed on the St. Edmond Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@st.edmondromancatholicchur2589/featured

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others.