William Martin Rigby

William Martin Rigby II of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 16, 2023 at the age of 57. William, known to his friends and family as Bill, Billy, and Willy, was born on May 28,1965 in Park Ridge, IL to Anita Joan Smith and William Charles Rigby, Jr.
Bill grew up in Illinois and Iowa and graduated in 1984 from Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Army, and became part of the 101st Airborne Division in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He valued his service highly and attained the rank of Sergeant while serving the country that he was very proud of. As part of his service he taught at West Point as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Specialist. He was honorably discharged in 1987.
From there, Bill entered the nuclear field which took him all over the country with his two daughters in tow. Working in the Radiation Protection Department of several companies, as well as providing safety supplies and business development. He ran projects, both large and small, while creating a successful path for himself and those he surrounded himself with. To those he worked with, Bill was a favorite co-worker, leader, mentor, counselor, boss, and close friend.
Bill was also a humanitarian at heart who strived to help others. His efforts were great and he worked long hours which created many beneficial opportunities. His goals and dreams in life were to create a life of legacy for his loved ones and find ways to better the world for people.
Bill was an enthusiastic New England Patriots and Tom Brady fan and a lover of the band The Eagles. He was passionate about bringing people together by cooking, playing card games, watching sports, eating out, and other gatherings. He was known for his memorable singing, being the life of the party – never needing a microphone – and he provided endless hours of competitive discussions about sports teams and contentious topics. Whatever inspired him, he was not afraid to let people know. All in the greatest effort to just be a part of the lives that meant the world to him.
The greatest inspiration for Bill was to be a proud, beloved grandfather who enjoyed planning fun-filled days with his grandkids. He loved to cook with his granddaughter Olivia and to play hide and seek with his grandson, Lucas.
While Bill left us far too soon, the impact he had on his friends, family, and community was immeasurable.
He leaves behind his mother Anita (Robert) Smith, step-mother Carol Rigby, his two daughters, Ashe (Matthew) Dryden and Heather (Aaron) Bridget, his two grandchildren, Olivia and Lucas Bridget, his siblings Sean (Dawn Knapp) Rigby and Jo Ann Jackson, his nephews Tyler Rigby and Austin Knapp, his niece Amanda Jackson, his aunts Judy Rigby and Norma Rigby, and many loving cousins and close friends. He is preceded in death by his father William Rigby Jr., his uncle Roger Rigby, and his late grandparents Rebecca Rigby, Charles and Betty Rigby and Otto and Erna Rimmler.
A funeral will be held at Click Funeral Home in Farragut, TN on May 27, 2023 with visitation at 1pm and service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bill's name to East Tennessee Children's Hospital.