Billy Gray Riggs

Mr. Billy Gray Riggs, 82, of Mt. Airy passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022, of natural causes at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.  He was born September 10, 1939, in Surry County to the late David Riggs and Metta Hamlin Riggs.  Bill graduated with the last class from Franklin High School.  Most of his professional life was working in the insurance business.  He worked for the United States Postal Service before retiring.  A steadfast member and deacon of Fancy Gap Baptist Church and served as the choir director from 1972 to the present.  He loved singing gospel music.  He often coordinated special singing events for the church and community.  Bill was an Army veteran.  In addition to his service, he made every effort to support active and retired service members.  Bill also loved his community and served as the president of the Bannertown Elementary PTO and as an officer of the Mount Airy High School Band Boosters.  Bill is survived by his loving spouse, Bonnie Tickle Riggs; his son, Phillip (Carol) Riggs; daughter-in-law, Malinda Marshall Riggs; grandchildren, David (Erica Miller Riggs), Clinton, and Colton Riggs; many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Riggs was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Riggs; his siblings, Grover, Glenn, Lonnie, Martha “Alma” Wilmoth, Myrtle Lewis, and Raymond.  A celebration-of-life service will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Fancy Gap Baptist Church with the Rev. Dwight Sechrist officiating.  Burial will follow in Skyline Memory Gardens.  The family will receive friends Tuesday from 1:00 until 2:00 PM at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fancy Gap Baptist Church, 1161 W Lebanon St., Mount Airy, NC 27030, or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 1427 Edgewood Dr., Mt. Airy, NC 27030.  Moody Funeral Home in Mt. Airy is serving the Riggs family.  Online condolences  may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.