Bill Rigby (left) and Commander Lee Harvy, Royal Navy.
Civil engineering alumnus William “Bill” Rigby (BSCE ’71) has come a long way from his hometown of Kosciusko.
Over the four decades since he graduated from the University of Mississippi, the Birmingham resident has risen through the ranks of the U.S. Navy. Presently, Rigby is general manager for the base operating support contract on Diego Garcia, a remote British atoll in the Indian Ocean. His employer, G4S-Parsons Pacific LLC, provides all services to the strategic naval installation, including utilities, facilities engineering and construction.
“My engineering education was instrumental in my success in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps,” Rigby said. “I was promoted to captain and served in a variety of interesting billets. Most notable were commanding officer at the Navy Public Works Center in Yokosuka, Japan, and chief of staff at the Navy Region in Hawaii. It also led to good positions in the private sector following retirement from the Navy.”
Rigby fondly recalled his days as an undergraduate in the Department of Civil Engineering.
“I was at Ole Miss during the football glory days of Archie Manning and Johnny Vaught,” he said. “I was a trumpet player in both the Rebel marching band and the University Symphonic Band.”
Though separated by time and distance, Rigby has maintained a strong mentor-protégé relationship with Sam DeLeeuw, chair emeritus and professor emeritus of civil engineering. DeLeeuw met Rigby in 1966, and they have remained close for more than 45 years.
“My most vivid memory of him was midway through my student career,” Rigby said. “The Ole Miss ASCE group was to attend a conference at LSU. We had a van to take us. However, I had to participate in a band concert that prevented my riding the van. Dr. DeLeeuw stayed back until the concert was over and then drove me to the event.”
After graduating from Ole Miss in 1971, Rigby stayed in contact with DeLeeuw, first through the mail and then by email. DeLeeuw mentored Rigby through a 28-year Navy Civil Engineer Corps career and provided useful advice as he entered the private sector.
“His influence on my life and career is immeasurable,” Rigby said. “It is my honor to have known him, studied under him and claim his friendship.”
“I get emails from Bill almost daily,” DeLeeuw said. “We stay in touch that way.”
Rigby and his wife, Susan, have two sons, Michael and Patrick, and a daughter, Alice.
“Both Susan and Patrick hold degrees from Ole Miss,” Rigby said. “Michael graduated from the University of Maryland, and Alice from Mississippi State University.”
Rigby still plays trumpet in church bands and frequently volunteers to play at military funerals.