William C. Rigby III (Bill) of Concordville

William C. Rigby III (Bill) of Concordville died Sunday, Dec. 6

Bill was a graduate of Media High School and Lafayette College where he played basketball and went through the ROTC program. After graduating from Lafayette, he went into the army as a 2nd lieutenant. He served in Panama in the Panama Canal Zone from 1962 to 1966. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.

William C. Rigby III

After serving in the Army, Bill took a job as a history teacher in the Ridley School District. After a few years, he left teaching and went into the family business (J. Nelson Rigby Funeral Home) with his father and brother as a fourth-generation funeral director. In the 1970s he opened his own funeral home in Chadds Ford (Rigby of Chadds Ford) while continuing to work at J. Nelson Rigby Funeral Home.

After Bill retired, The Chadds Ford Funeral Home property was eventually sold, and that business was moved to Media to the original funeral home and is continued to be run by his son, Bill, who also works at the J. Nelson Rigby Funeral Home with his cousin Jim who are the fifth generation in the family business.

Bill and Charlotte were lifetime members of Elam United Methodist Church and were heavily involved in the church until they physically were not able anymore. Bill, the lay leader of the church for many years and the lay leader emeritus attended almost every meeting. He is known as saying, “If the light is on in the church, I’ll be there.” Charlotte was an integral part of The United Methodist Women where she helped raise money through The Franklin Mint Doll Project. Both Bill and Charlotte were an integral part of Elam’s history. The annual Roast Beef dinners would always find Bill and Charlotte in the kitchen. Bill manning the slicer!

One of Bill's favorite things to do was spend time at the Ocean View campground on Route 9 outside of Sea Isle City. They not only enjoyed time alone but also with their grandchildren at the campground. The highlight of the grandchildren’s time there was going to the lake to swim and riding the train around the campground at night.

Bill and Charlotte were a very important part of helping Janine to raise Zachary, their grandson in his first 8 years of life. Bill was known to (before the age of cell phones) spontaneously drive all the way out to Landenberg, where three of his grandchildren lived to check in on them and within minutes turn around and drive home.

Bill loved being a part of the Concordville community, serving on various committees and fundraisers. He also enjoyed going on Star Tours bus trips with his wife, participating in the Concordville Rotary Club, hosting foreign exchange students, and attending his children and his grandchildren’s sporting events. Bill enjoyed meeting his buddies at Dunkin’ Donuts at 6 am on a daily basis.

Predeceased by his wife Charlotte (nee Pruitt) Rigby parents J. Nelson Rigby and Margaret (nee Barkalow) Rigby, and Grandson Cameron Smith.

Survived by his children William R. Rigby (Nina), Kaylyn A. Smith, Janine R. Phillips (George), and Kenneth R. Rigby (Anne). Grandchildren Zachary, Samantha, Ryan and Caitlin Rigby, Jeffrey and Dana Smith. Great-Grandchildren Dominic Rigby, Mia Olivares, Harley, and Haylee Allen. Siblings J. Nelson Rigby Jr. ( Barbara) and Lois Earnest. Nephews James N. Rigby III (Michele), Stephen Rigby, Stephanie Vlaminck (Brian), John Earnest (Jennifer Pearce), and Suzanne Earnest.

Due to Covid Restrictions Service will be private, however, it will be live-streamed.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend the committal service at Elam Cemetery, 1073 Smithbridge Road, Glen Mills Pa. 19342 at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, when the family arrives.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory can be made to Elam United Methodist Church.

Arrangements Rigby of Chadds Ford Funeral Home

Online Condolences www.rigbyfuneralhome.com

 

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