Bill Ridgeway

Chief Electrician’s Mate (Surface Warfare), USN (ret)

EMC(SW) Ridgeway (ret) is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. He is married to Carole Whitted-Ridgeway from Oscoda, Minnesota. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School on 06/01/1978 as a member of the school’s Golden Anniversary class. He last graduated from Colorado Technical University with a BS in Business Administration with a major in Information Systems Technology in February 2011.

EMC(SW) Ridgeway, (ret) afloat tours include: USS SUMTER (LST-1181) in Little Creek, VA; USS LOS ALAMOS (AFDB-7) in Holy Loch, Scotland; PCU/USS WASP (LHD-1) (Plankowner), Norfolk, VA; USS O’BANNON (DD-987) in Charleston, SC; and PCU/USS GONZALEZ (DDG-66)(Plankowner).

SPECIAL NOTE: It was during his tour on the USS SUMTER that EM3 Ridgeway qualified as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS). He was the first Third Class Petty Officer on this ship to earn ESWS. The qualifications board mentioned to the Commanding Officer, CDR James K Pernini, that up to that point, they had not seen anyone with such a high level of knowledge of the ship as did EM3 Ridgeway. 

EMC(SW) Ridgeway, (ret) shore tours include: Enlisted Educational Advancement Program (EEAP), Millington, Tennessee (State Technical Institute, Memphis (TN), AS Electrical Engineering Technology); TRIDENT Refit Facility, Kings Bay, GA (Code 330 Training Petty Officer (105 person division), selected and advanced to Chief Electrician’s Mate); SIMA Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia; Naval Submarine Support Facility New London, Groton, CT (Material and Maintenance Management (3M) Coordinator).

EMC(SW) Ridgeway, (ret) retired 06/30/2002 after 22 years of active duty and moved to Ward, AR. His personal awards include: Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement medal (x4), Navy Good Conduct medal (x5), Navy Expeditionary medal (Beirut), National Defense Service medal (x2), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medal (x2) and various other personal and unit awards.

Since December 2010, Chief Ridgeway has worked for the Arkansas Workforce Connections (AWC) where he is the Veterans Intensive Services Coordinator. He coordinates employment services between the Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Program and AWC employment services section to help qualified veterans prepare for and return to the work force. Chief Ridgeway has been a Scout Leader since Feb 1993, currently serving as Pack and Troop 201 Committee Chairman in Cabot, Arkansas. He also served on the commissioning committee for the USS LITTLE ROCK (LCS-9) and is currently fulfilling the role as Secretary for the commissioning committee for the future USS ARKANSAS (SSN-800).