WILLIAM HAROLD PIGGOTT

William “Bill” Harold Piggott, age 89, of Colton, CA, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2022 in
Redlands, CA.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Piggott-Thuyns, son in law, Al Thuyns, niece Patricia Piggott,
nephews Julius (Tony) Joseph, George Joseph Jr., Patrick Piggott, along with their spouses and children.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William H. Piggott Sr., Millicent Piggott, brother Norman Ivan
Piggott, and sister Jeanne Anne Joseph.
Born in Brooklyn, New York on September 28, 1932, he became a lifelong Dodgers fan and even met
Jackie Robinson. He was raised in Barbados but came to the United States because he was causing too
much trouble (as told by Aunt Jeanne).
He valiantly served in the Air Force where he was part of the Korean and Vietnam wars and traveled the
world being stationed in Guam, Spain, Japan, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and England. In England,
he met and married Jennifer Layne (who is also from Barbados) on December 29, 1973. They started
their family and moved to California. He retired with the rank of Technical Sargent on December 31,
1976 from March Air Force Base in Moreno Valley, CA.
Next, he worked at the VA Hospital, first in Long Beach then in Loma Linda, where he was one of the
hospital’s original employees. In addition to making everyone laugh regularly, he received countless
performance awards while working as a GI tech in the Gastroenterology department. He retired in 2007
but continued to volunteer his time until 2019 where for many years, he dedicated at least 5,000 hours
a year in service of his fellow veterans.
William was a long-time parishioner of St. Michael’s Episcopal church in Riverside where he assisted
with Sunday services and trained young children to be acolytes of the church.
His love for playing cricket was unmatched. He loved coaching and refereeing AYSO soccer games, and
bowling in many leagues at Tava lanes and the Concourse. He also enjoyed playing poker and betting on
the race horses in San Bernardino. Finally, William could be counted on to have a good time at parties
while dancing and singing to oldies and reggae music.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 4:00 PM till 8:00 PM at Grimes-Akes
Family Funeral Home, 500 West Seventh Street, Corona, CA 92882. The memorial service will be held on
Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Grimes-Akes Family Funeral Home. The burial will be held
Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 12:30 PM (SHARP!) at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren
Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California. In lieu of
flowers, please donate to Disabled Veterans (DAV) or the Wounded Warrior Project.

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