William Roy "Perry Como" Riggin Sr., 93, of Crisfield, Maryland passed away Friday, January 10, 2025, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, Maryland after a short illness.

Roy was born in Easton, Massachusetts on November 14, 1931.  He was the son of the late William Ellsworth Riggin and Esther McLeod Riggin.

Born in Massachusetts as the result of a temporary family relocation due to Crisfield's Great Fire of 1928, he grew up in Crisfield from the age of three. Roy lived a long life that was full of adventure. He joined the Crisfield National Guard at a young age, then became a US Marine where he served on the USS Wisconsin during the Korean War and later stood guard at the US Embassy in Rome. After his military service, Roy worked for Wayne Pump in Salisbury for a brief time, and later became Chief of Police in Pocomoke MD for several years. He then had a workboat built and began his near 40 year career as a commercial waterman, hard crabbing, drop and patent tonging oysters, and becoming known as one of the toughest and hardest working men to ever do the job.

Roy dearly loved all of his family and his many friends. With a keen memory, he often recounted many stories of his adventures, as well as histories of the great families and characters of the Crisfield area. He enjoyed music, movies, and comedy. He was a dedicated fan of the Baltimore Colts and had great stories of attending many games with his friends. Roy's lifelong nickname "Perry Como" was bestowed by coach Dido Tawes in his early teens as a result of singing and not paying attention while shagging fly balls at batting practice for Crisfield's Eastern Shore Baseball League team.

Surviving Roy is his son William Roy Riggin Jr. and wife Kim, and grandson Nathan all of Salisbury; a niece Barbara Ennis (Johnny) of Crisfield; great nieces and nephews, Kent Tawes (Amy), Andrew Tawes (Katherine), David Tawes (Tricia), and Neil Tawes (Angela) all of North Carolina, Windi Jones of Tennessee, Dana Somers (Ritchie) of Queenstown, MD; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister June Riggin Wharton, and beloved niece Pamela Wharton Tawes.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are requested to be sent to the Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 406, Crisfield, MD 21817.