William Marshall Riggles III

Bill grew up in Florida and almost immediately after high school he joined the US Forest Service as a Hot Shot Firefighter in 1976. This took him all over western United States. Although he was one of the Smokey Bear Hot Shots, and based in Ruidoso, New Mexico, he went where he was needed. One place he was stationed most often was Yellowstone National Park area of northwest Wyoming.  

When Bill was not putting out fires, he could be found with his camera, photographing the huge flames as they rose hundreds of feet in the air. Bill loved the adventures of being there. He traveled all over from New Mexico to Wyoming, Northern California and all the way to Canada. Guess you could call him a “Travelin’ Man”. Bill continued being a Hot Shot until doctors told him it was unhealthy for his lungs and he retired from Forest Service in 2001. Because fighting fires was a seasonal position, many firefighters went to Ski Apache on top of Sierra Blanca mountain, to be a ski instructor. Bill was included in the bunch of ski instructors up there. He was such a great instructor that soon everyone was requesting his services. His calm, gentle demeanor was always appreciated. Soon after this, Bill noticed that people with physical limitations were unable to enjoy outdoor sports and began, with others, developing an Adaptive Ski Program.  

According to Ski Apache: Ski Apache Adaptive Sports: A continuum of services for individuals with disabilities is offered at Ski Apache to assist students of all ages, to access the mountain in Alpine and Snowboarding. With the help from experienced certified instructors and specialized adaptive equipment, we can get you on the snow". Bill was involved with Ski Apache and the Adaptive Ski Program for 45 years!

Riggles finally retired in 2019 to spend more time visiting his family. He continued to live in Ruidoso and could often be seen with his camera, photographing the local atmosphere and wildlife. Sadly, Bill Riggles passed away recently and his gentle soul will live on the lives of everyone he encountered. His Memorial Service was attended by his many friends and several of them offered testimony into the kind, "Gentle Giant" he was.

William "Bill" Riggles is survived by his mother, Shirley Riggles, his sister Susan Riggles Tyree, his sister Pamela Riggles and brother in law, Steve.