Willard Darrow Riggs, 97, passed away June 23, 2022, at Garden Valley
Retirement Village, Garden City, Kansas. He was born in Warren, Ohio,
January 22, 1925, to Ralph W. and Blanche (Cryer) Riggs.
When he was six years old the family moved to Kansas, north of Hill
City. In 1933 they moved to Louisiana, returning to Kansas later that
same year, living southwest of Hill City. Willard attended grade school
at the Miller District 32 School. He graduated from Hill City High
School in May of 1943 and then joined the United States Army Air Corps
in September of 1943, serving during World War II. Stationed in
Norfolk, England, Willard was a tail gunner on a B-24 named the “Shack
Rabbit”. He successfully completed 35 missions over Germany, a number
far exceeding the average.
Willard was introduced to Betty Marie Critchfield by a
mutual friend at a 4-H party in 1940. He was a freshman in high school,
and she was an eighth grader. Willard courted Betty with trips made to
the Morland area on his homemade scooter with a Maytag motor. They
shared letters sent to each other on the same day, when the train which
traveled east to Hill City later returned to Morland. The couple also
corresponded throughout World War II. After the war they were united in
marriage June 1, 1947, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Studley,
where they faithfully attended services until they moved to Hill City.
Their first home was southwest of Hill City. While living
on the farm their two daughters, Linda and Pat, and a son, Arnold, were
born. In addition to farming Willard also sold Cowvita, a supplement for
calves. He was so busy with those sales that he eventually sold the
farm in 1956 and the family moved to Penokee. About four years later,
Willard took a job with the Douglas Chemical Company out of Kansas City,
selling fumigants to grain elevators. Willard also became licensed to
apply it. He was extremely successful, earning “Salesman of the Year” in
1959. After spending so much time on the road and away from his
family, he quit the Douglas Chemical Company to spend more time with his
family. Every summer they vacationed in Colorado, doing lots of
camping and fishing, which the entire family enjoyed. In 1974 Willard
and Betty moved to Hill City. Willard opened an antique and used
furniture store. He was also a licensed auctioneer.
After retirement, among other things, Willard and Betty
spent their time traveling, often mixing pleasure with business by
selling grandfather clocks in malls along the way. They also enjoyed
camping with the Good Sams Camping Club. Following Betty’s death in
February of 2018 Willard remained in Hill City for a time. By late fall
of that year, he decided to move to Garden City. He was closer to his
children and could lean on them for some help if needed. One of
Willard’s favorite pastimes was playing pinochle every Tuesday at the
senior center. He was very competitive, hoping to win the traveling
trophy awarded each week, and very proud when he had the high score and
had possession of the trophy until the next week.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents and his
brother Allen. Survivors left to honor his memory include his two
daughters Linda Lansdon and Pat Landon and one son Arnold Riggs, all of
Garden City; five grandchildren: Tracy Collins and husband Mark,
Michelle Myers and husband Eric, Ryan Herrman, Trisha Lewis and husband
Dan, and Adam Riggs; six great grandchildren: Mackenzie Collins, Cameron
Collins, Amber Myers and husband Landon, Karter Myers, and Tulsyn and
Kreaton Riggs; and two great-great grandchildren Vincent and Aurora.
Click HERE for service details.