William V. Riggs III

William V. Riggs, III of Centreville, MD, departed this life on Monday, June 26, 2017, peacefully at his home. He was 74 years old. Born in Shelbyville, IN, on September 8, 1942, he was the son of the late William V. Riggs, Jr. and Florence Wylder Riggs. The Riggs family moved to Centreville in 1948 when William V. Riggs, Jr. purchased Bloomfield Farm. Mr. Riggs graduated from Centreville High School, Class of 1960. He attended Perdue University for two years before returning home to run the family farm, Bloomfield, after his father took ill. After a short period at home he became the Assistant Manager of Great Meadows Farm in Wye Mills, MD, owned by Esskay. Later he worked as a driver and salesman for G&G distributors for five years. Finally, he returned to Bloomfield Farm and remained actively engaged in grain and livestock farming living on the family farm from 1977 to 2005. The farm operated as Riggs Brothers with Bill and his youngest brother David, until David’s untimely death in 1980. In 1985, he established William V. Riggs, III & Son to include his only son. During that time Mr. Riggs was appointed as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner, October 1985-1986. He was elected to a four year term in the fall of 1986, and again in 1990, to serve a total of nine years for his county. In 2006, Mr. Riggs and his son, Bill, established Riggs Transport, Inc., to finish out his career. He also enjoyed working part-time for some close local farming friends. In addition to his employment, he was a member of the QAC Jaycees, Chesapeake Ruritan, Goodwill Volunteer Fire Department, QAC Appeals Board, MD & National Pork Producers Association, Board of Directors Agway, Inc.; QAC Park Board; QAC Fair Board; QAC Farm Bureau; MD & National Grain Producers Association; Centreville Lions Club; QAC Sportsman’s Club; Jeff Davis Post 18 – Associate member; Agriculture Stabilization & Conservation Service; Mid-Atlantic Soybean Producers Association; QAC Soil Conservation; and Centreville United Methodist Church. Mr. Riggs was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Martha “Christie” Lynch Riggs, of Elkton, MD whom he married on June 12, 1965; and his brothers, John and David Riggs. He is survived by one son, William V. Riggs, IV, and one daughter, Catherine Riggs Willis, both of Centreville; and the lights of his life, his grandchildren, Trent, Bailey, Reagan and Campbell Riggs, Christopher, Victoria and Harley Willis; his only surviving brother, Thomas K. Riggs and his wife Mary Jo; his sister-in-laws, Shirley and Kathleen Riggs; his niece Heidi Pinder and nephew Ransom Riggs; as well as several cousins. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, June 30, at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Centreville, MD, where friends and family may visit on Thursday from 6-8 pm. Burial will follow the service at Chesterfield Cemetery, Centreville, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Compass Regional Hospice, 160 Coursevall Dr., Centreville, MD 21617; or to the Queen Anne’s County 4H Programs. To ensure your gift stays in Queen Anne’s County, please make it payable to QACOEAC and send it to 505 Railroad Ave., Centreville, MD 21617.

William V. Riggs III

September 8, 1942 - June 26, 2017