William W. "Bill" Rigdon

5/5/1938 - 7/29/2025

Niantic – William W. "Bill" Rigdon, 87, peacefully passed away July 29, 2025, at Yale New Haven Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. A caring and devoted husband, father and friend to many, Bill's warm spirit and infectious smile left a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to have the pleasure of knowing him.

Born May 5, 1938, in Festus, Mo., Bill was the beloved son of Jesse A. Rigdon and Mary Catherine Seibert Rigdon. He grew up surrounded by his sister, Audrey Reniere, and brothers, Robert Rigdon and David Rigdon, all of whom preceded him in death.

Bill graduated from Festus High School. He then attended and graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army, serving from 1960 to 1966 and attaining the rank of 1st lieutenant. Later, he graduated from the University of Connecticut with a master's degree in electrical engineering.

On June 11, 1960, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth A. (Jones) Rigdon in Crystal City, Mo. Their 65-year marriage was a testament to enduring love, hard, but loving, work and mutual respect. It was in the town of Niantic that they spent most of their years together, raising four children, each of whom treasured his loving attention and participation in their academic, athletic and personal lives: Kevin Rigdon and his wife Nancy Rigdon of Niantic; Stephen Rigdon and his wife Michelle Rigdon of Oakdale, Michael Rigdon and his wife Donna Rigdon of Norfolk, Mass., and Mary Zalagens and her husband Mark Zalagens of Oakdale. He was grandfather to eight grandchildren: Michael Rigdon, Daniel Rigdon, Suzanne Rigdon, Joel Blanchard, Jessica Hansen, Casey Zalagens, William Rigdon and Timothy Rigdon. He was also great-grandfather to: Riley Rigdon, Evelyn Hansen, Jackson Rigdon, Evan Williams, Madison Rigdon, Josie Hansen, TJ Rigdon and another great-grandchild due this fall.

After leaving the Army, Bill worked at the Underwater Sound Lab (Later: NUSC and NUWC) in New London and Newport, R.I. After retiring, he worked for Analysis & Technology in New London, before retiring for good and devoting himself to enjoying the finer things in life – golf, family, Fort Myers, Fla., family, UConn basketball, family and the Boston Red Sox. Yes, family was that important to him. Although Bill thought he was a great back deck cook, his family knew that there wasn't a piece of meat that he couldn't overcook on the barbecue.

Bill was a coach for his children (and many others) in East Lyme Little League and East Lyme Babe Ruth League. He was also past-president of the Niantic Lions Club and was a committed communicant at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Niantic.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand Street, Niantic. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 22 Haigh Street, Niantic. Burial will follow at East Lyme Cemetery in the Flanders section of East Lyme.

The family would like this to be a celebration of a life full and truly lived and has requested those attending to wear happy colors to help celebrate the life of an amazing man.