William John Riggs Jr., 93, of Ft. Myers, FL and Warwick, RI, passed away peacefully at his home in Ft. Myers on July 22, 2024, with his loving wife Donna (Henderson) by his side. Bill was born on June 12, 1931, in Providence, RI. He was the eldest child of William and Helen (Daley) Riggs.
Bill’s lifelong passion for the water and boating started as a young child. At 11 years old, he built a boat with his father to use at Roger Williams Park and on the Providence River. He also developed his love for music, enjoying family gatherings that included sing-alongs around the piano accompanied by saxophones, trumpets, and lots of love and laughter. He spent hours every day playing the piano. After graduating from Hope High School at the age of 16, Bill joined the Marine Corps where he was selected for an elite program in Annapolis and earned a full academic scholarship to Tufts University.
After returning home, Bill met Barbara McGrath, who would become his wife of 60 years. Bill and Barbara had four children, Cynthia Macliver, William Riggs III, Susan Collier, and Douglas Riggs, all of whom would join Bill and Barbara for countless adventures sailing at home in Narragansett Bay and beyond with Captain Bill at the helm. Bill took great pride that he taught his children, grandchildren, and friends to sail “the right way.”
Bill applied the same passion, focus, and independent spirit to sailing as he did to the rest of his life. Bill raced competitively for over 50 years, only retiring his position as Captain racing his beloved J Boat, Rigadoon, at age 90. His favorite sailboat races included Block Island Race Weeks, New York Yacht Club events, East Greenwich Yacht Club summer series, and the 2000 Club events. He won his fair share of races, including being named Narragansett Bay ‘Boat of the Year’ in 2009, but it was the spirited competition and the camaraderie aboard that he liked the best. You could often hear him say “at least they knew we were out there today.” Affectionately called Captain Bill, there are many family and friends that will certainly attest to knowing they were out there with him!
Early in his career, Bill proved himself to be an able estimator with a reputation for the ability to calculate the cost of projects in his head and almost instantly. In 1975, along with his beloved friend and colleague Thomas Gallagher, Bill founded his General Contracting and Property Development company, Riggs and Gallagher, Inc. Bill happily retired in the early 1990s and his children took over the company he built.
Bill and Barbara split their time between Florida and Rhode Island, though wherever they were, they were always available for their grandchildren. Bill was well served and well known for his highly disciplined personality and his dedication to health and fitness. He loved swimming laps and riding his bike daily.
After Barbara passed away, it was on one of those daily bike rides in Florida that Bill was blessed to meet the second love of his life, Donna. They enjoyed several happy years together, including boat cruises and extensive travel. The joy, comfort, and support that Donna provided Bill and his family with during his later years cannot be overstated.
Bill is survived by his wife Donna Riggs (Henderson), his four children, Cynthia (John) Macliver, William (Karen) Riggs III, Susan (David Fox) Collier, and Douglas (Lexie) Riggs, eight grandchildren, Ashley (Keegan) McMullan, Kristin Grainey, Austin (Lauren) and Alexandra Collier, Michelle, Kyle, Katelyn, and Amy Riggs, eight great grandchildren, two step grandchildren, Taryn Smith, Jay Macliver, and their children, Donna’s three children, Emily (Kris) LeRoy, Ellen (Rob) Brisley, John (Nikki) Thornburg and their families, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends. Bill was predeceased by his wife Barbara (McGrath) to whom he was happily married for 60 years, his parents William and Helen Riggs, his siblings Elizabeth Malley, Donald Riggs, and Joan Kennedy, and his son-in-law Glen Collier.
Funeral services will be held on July 29, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Saint Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sail to Prevail at www.sailtoprevail.org (60 Fort Adam’s Dr. Newport, RI 02840) or The Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org (245 Waterman St # 306, Providence, RI 02906).
