William Lee Riggs

William Lee (Buddy) Riggs, Jr. peacefully slipped out of this life and onto heaven's shores early Sunday afternoon, January 23, 2010. He was surrounded by loved ones at home, assured that he would not "have to cross Jordan alone."

Buddy was born May 18, 1925, in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of William Lee (Bill) and Sadie Riggs, Sr. As a child, he moved with his family to Charleston. He was an Eagle Scout and troop leader. A Clemson freshman who enlisted in the Navy during WWII, he was sent to USC in the ROTC program, where he excelled in several sports, played tight end in the first Gator Bowl, earned a math degree, and married Betty Knowles. He was a partner in Riggs and Son Construction Company, a skilled tennis player, and a computer systems analyst at the Charleston Naval Shipyard.

More important, he was a loving, gentle family man who blessed anyone with whom he came in contact. He was a life-time deacon at Citadel Square Baptist Church, where for many years he led young people to know the Lord, using his one week of vacation time to take hundreds of teenagers to Camp Forest in Cheraw, SC, for memorable experiences that changed many lives. He and Betty hosted Sunday night fellowships for young people (of all ages) after church for years. Ham and cheese biscuits, home-churned ice cream, ping pong, laughter and love were always abundant. Buddy was always quick to answer enthusiastically, "I'd love to!" when called on to serve in any capacity. Buddy and Betty truly loved people and served Christ as He taught in Matthew 25:40, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me." To get a hug from Buddy accompanied by his patent "Riggs pat" on the back was to feel love, warmth, and comfort for any hurt.

Buddy is survived by his sister Dolores Reuter of Charleston, his brother-in-law Tommy Woods of Little Rock, Arkansas, and his children and grandchildren of Charleston: Lynn Reese, her husband G. David (Rock) Reese and their son David Russell Reese; Sharon Harper; and William Bryan Riggs, his wife Pam Hodges Riggs, and their daughters Breanne Nicole, Kelsey Elizabeth, and Chandler Sadilee Riggs. He is predeceased by his wife of sixty-three years, Betty Knowles Riggs, his son Richard (Ricky) Scott Riggs, and his grandson, William (Will) Lee Harper.

Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the Sanctuary Renovation Fund at Citadel Square Baptist Church, 328 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403.

Visitation will be at J. Henry Stuhr, West Ashley Chapel on Wednesday, January 26, 5 to 7 pm. The funeral service will be held in the chapel at Citadel Square Baptist Church on Thursday, January 27, at 2 pm. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery.