William Fredrick Rigby

William Fredrick Rigby, 83, of Providence, Utah, died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday morning, November 14th 2004. Bill was born on March 22nd 1921 in Newton Utah, the oldest of three children born to David LeRoy Rigby and Florence Ellen Merrill. He graduated from North Cache High School and attended Utah State Agricultural College before serving in the Western States Mission from 1941-1943. After his mission, he was inducted in the Army to serve his country. He finished his career in the Army as a Flight Engineer on a B-32 Bomber. While serving in the Army, he attended an electrical specialist school in San Diego, California. It was there he met Joyce Elfrena Kalanquin. They were married on April 12th 1945 in Gulfport, Mississippi. After the service, he returned back to Newton and continued his education at USAC and graduated with a degree in education. He taught school in Garland and Cache Valley until the Christmas of 1954. On New Year's Eve of 1954, he and his family packed up their belongings and moved to the Columbia Basin near Pasco, Washington. He spent 15 years there, pioneering and farming in the Columbia Basin. He was called as bishop of the Columbia Basin Ward and had many wonderful experiences. During his leadership as bishop, a new chapel in the Columbia Basin was built largely due to his persistence in calling the Church Building Committee each week. In 1968, he moved back to Newton. He received a master?s degree from Utah State University and was hired as the head of the Special Education Department at Sky View High School. In 1971, he and Joyce were divorced and on April 5th 1973, he married Jeannie Lallatin Walquist. He remained teaching at Sky View until he retired in 1983. After his retirement, he kept busy as a traveling salesman for Alco Seat Covers, Saddleman Seat Covers and Mountain West Seat Covers. He was an avid Aggie football and basketball fan and rarely missed any games. He served in numerous leadership positions in the LDS Church, including Bishop for 6 years in the Columbia Basin Ward, Pasco, Washington. Until recently, he served 2 days a week in the Logan LDS Temple. Bill is survived by his cherished wife of 31 years, Jeannie Lallatin Rigby of Providence; eight children and spouses, Janet Rigby- deceased and Robert Maughan of Idaho Falls, Idaho, W. Fred and Fayone Benson Rigby of Logan, Anell Rigby and Peter Godfrey of Salt Lake City, Roxanne and David Salisbury of London, England, David and Lisa Low Rigby of Boise, Idaho, Mike and Debbie Jenkins Walquist of Newton, Judy Walquist and Scott Ezola of Farmington and Jacqee Walquist and John Park of College Station, Texas; 30 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother J. Murray Rigby of Newton. He was preceded in death by one daughter Janet Rigby Maughan; his parents; and his sister, Marilyn Don Shelton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday November 20th at the Newton 1st Ward LDS Chapel with Brother Stephen Griffin officiating. Friends and family may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 19th at the Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North in Logan, and from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the Newton Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .