William "Bill" Griggs

1938 - 2022

William "Bill" Griggs

1938 - 2022

William "Bill" Griggs, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on July 14, 2022.

Bill was born in Massena, New York on December 8, 1938. Growing up, he developed a love for science, tinkering, and pushing the limits of possibility. His passion, intelligence, and curious nature launched him into a career as a brilliant aeronautical engineer, Saturn V rocket taking the Apollo astronauts into space.

Bill deeply loved his wife of 52 years, Julie Griggs. They met through one of the first computer dating services in September of 1969. Following their wedding on March 14, 1970, they moved to Napa, CA to start a family. Bill encouraged his two daughters, Gina and Jill, to engage in science and mathematics, building their confidence and teaching them how to take risks. He continued to foster a love of science in his grandchildren, Isabelle, Evangeline, Alex, and Ava, through regular family model rocket launches in the spring.

Bill is survived by his brother, Chris Griggs; his wife, Julie Griggs; daughter, Gina Griggs Giordano and her husband, Dennis Giordano, and their girls: Isabelle and Evangeline; and daughter, Jill Griggs Barnes and her children: Alex and Ava and their father, Jade Barnes.

Bill's Memorial Service will be held at Tulocay Cemetery, Funeral Home & Crematory at 411 Coombsville Road in Napa, CA on Friday, August 12, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. In tribute to him, the William Griggs Memorial Scholarship Fund is being launched to support women entering a 2 or 4-year educational program in pursuit of a career in science and/or math. If you would like to be part of this work, you can donate and/or share using this link: tinyurl.com/griggs-memorial-scholarship.

Bill was adamant that science dictates energy never disappears, it transforms. Now, with his death, he is transformed, and will be greatly missed.