Paul Riggs

William "Paul" Riggs, 89 years of age, passed peacefully in the early morning of Thursday, July 4, 2024 at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.
Always going by the name of Paul, Paul was born April 8, 1935 in Ontario, CA to Arlie Riggs and Berona Grandel. Paul was one of seven children. At the age of 18 he entered the military and served in the 12th Naval district as an aviation mechanic and participated in the infamous Operation Wigwam. After the Navy he spent the next 34 years driving truck for numerous companies, but his true love and passion over the last 25 years, which came from his father, was beekeeping. He enjoyed the art of beekeeping and the detailed nature of honey bee biology. He enjoyed spending time preparing jars of honey for the farmers market and traveling to local vendors accompanied by his great granddaughter Miana. Paul was a hard worker, devoted family man and a lover of life.
Paul leaves behind his loving wife and partner of 31 years, Rubye Mae; his two stepdaughters Sharon Walker and Cindy Garland and daughter Lynn. He also leaves behind grandsons Luke and Jonathon Poljack of Ohio, John Walker of Salinas and granddaughters Jamie Stott, Yawna Garland, Sharaya Garland of Watsonville and Taylor Escobedo of Gilroy. He also leaves behind numerous great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jimmy and Joe, sisters Alice, Ruth, Ginger and Jean, his former wife Jaqueline, and stepdaughter Brenda Ukestad.
Paul, Rubye and Miana attended Northminster Presbyterian Church pastored by Andy Rausch. Paul will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.
Visitation will be held 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2024 at Struve and Laporte Chapel,
41 W. San Luis St. Salinas, Ca. 93901.
Funeral Services will be 11:00a.m. Monday, July 15, 2024 at Struve and Laporte Chapel.
Burial to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907.