William (Bill) Riggins, B.S. Ag Mechanization ’73, was named Citizen of the Year by the Marshall, Mo., Chamber of Commerce. The award was announced at the chamber’s annual banquet June 19.

Troy Nash, a Zimmer Real Estate Group representative who has worked with Riggins to develop an economic plan for Saline County, presented the award and described Riggins as someone who has “dogged determination,” works hard and has the ability to ignore naysayers.

Riggins came to the University of Missouri after serving in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969. Following graduation from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, he worked for Eli Lilly and Baker Agri-Sales before starting Brunswick Agri-Service in 1981 with two others. In 1988, he sold his interest in this company and founded Riggins R-CO, Inc., in Marshall.

Riggins is a member of the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, the Marshall Planning and Zoning Commission, Mar-Saline Development Corporation, the Marshall Boosters Club and other school and community organizations.

He also has served the Missouri Agribusiness Association as a member, member of the board of directors and chairman. In 2002 he was the recipient of the Ag Leader of the Year award.

Riggins has supported both MU’s athletic department and CAFNR. He has provided teaching and research equipment to CAFNR for many years, is a member of the Monticello Society, the Jefferson Club, the Tiger Scholarship Fund and the Ag Alumni Association. In 2008 he was honored with the Citation of Merit Award at CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony.