Name: Visitation for Billy Newell Riggins
Start: 2017-10-01T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-10-01T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel - Knoxville

Billy Newell Riggins

Knoxville, TN

Billy Newell Riggins died suddenly on Thursday, September 28, 2017. Born on April 30, 1937 in Hazard, Kentucky to Alma Allen Riggins and Newell Grady Riggins, M.D. The family moved to Knoxville where his father established his medical practice in Burlington.

Bill graduated from Knoxville East High School in 1955. He was president of the choir, member of the National Honor Society, Student Council treasurer, class treasurer, captain of the basketball team and received the Danforth Award for leadership. He received his amateur radio (ham) license at age 14 and won several competitions in trap shooting in his age group.

Bill graduated from U.T. Medical School in 1962, served an internship at UT Hospital (Knoxville) and joined his father in his practice in 1963. He was drafted during the Vietnam conflict and spent two years as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Army. He was deployed in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam as the chief medical officer in Pleiku. After his military service, he continued to practice medicine in Burlington for 50 years.

Bill had received his pilot's license, was a certified scuba diver, bare boat captain, extra class HAM operator and liked to farm. He contributed to the community through his church and the Love Kitchen. He was a devoted Christian, husband, father and grandfather who could fix anything from your plumbing and electricity to a cut or a broken bone.

He was a member and deacon at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church and had been a Sunday School teacher and officer at Macedonia United Methodist Church.

Preceded in death by parents and brother, Bob Allen Riggins.

Survived by wife of 59 years Patricia; sons, Grady (Becca), Patrick and Martin of Knoxville; daughter, Rebecca ( Justin) Ault of New Market; grandchildren Spencer Riggins, Matthew Riggins, Joshua Riggins, Hunter Riggins, Laura Ault, Nathan Ault, Jacob Ault, Aaron Ault, Drake Parker and Dylan Parker; sister Joanne (Dr.Jay) Mounger; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Vernon; niece, Mary Honey; nephews, Allen Riggins, Daniel Mounger, Stephen Mounger and John Mounger; many beloved cousins in Knoxville and middle Tennessee.

The family will receive friends at Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel on Sunday, October 1st from 2-4pm. Private graveside services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers make a donation to your favorite charity or The Love Kitchen, PO Box 6839, Knoxville, TN 37914. Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Riggins family and invites you to view and sign their online guestbook at gentrygriffey.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Knoxville News Sentinel from Sep. 30 to Oct. 1, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Billy Riggins

Sponsored by Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel - Knoxville.

5 Entries

October 3, 2017

My sincerest condolences to the family.

May the God of all comfort grant you peace and strength during this most difficult time.

PD-GA

Ben Humphries

October 1, 2017

Patsy and family,

It is with sadness I hear of Doctor Bill's passing. He kept me and most of Burlington healthy for many years. Me personally though massive poison ivy allergies, over 100 wasp stings, stitches, bike wrecks and an untold number of kid illnesses. Plus I was delivered by a Riggins! What a testament Dr. Bill was to service to others and his community. Regrettably, I did not find out about the receiving of friends until after it was over today. My thoughts are with you about the life a of a good man and what he meant to us all. As I continue my research of Burlington History, I would certainly love to share what I find about the Riggin's legacy in our community. If you find any photos or articles that would assist in my research, please contact me.
865-522-0184.

Tom and Judy Clevenger

October 1, 2017

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Poetry Foundation

Carolyn Hancock

October 1, 2017

So sorry for your loss

Amy Pigott

September 30, 2017

Our family is so very sorry to hear of Cousin Dr. Bill's sudden death. Please know that we are thinking of you all and wish we could be there to tell you so in person.

With love from your cousins:
Virginia Stone Coward Williams,
Amy Coward Pigott
Maria Coward Wood

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