Award-Winning Radio & TV Sports Talk Show Host, William A. Vigeant, Dies at 61

Friday, October 22, 2021

William A. (Billy "V") Vigeant, 61, of Johnston, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. 

Born in Providence, he was the son of former Councilwoman Josephine (Pazienza) DiRuzzo and the late William Vigeant.

Billy is survived by his loving children, Jonathan J. Lamothe–Vigeant of Fort Bragg, NC and Victoria L. Vigeant of Johnston; dear siblings, Bobby Vigeant, Gina DiRuzzo-Beeley, and Steven DiRuzzo; nieces Rachele Beeley, Nicole Vigeant, nephew Steven DiRuzzo, and his former wife and longtime friend Donna Vigeant. He was the loving and caring partner of Liliana V. Dolan.

Billy was a former award-winning Radio and Television sports talk show host of the very popular Billy “V” Sports Legends and CEO of Good Sports Productions and Entertainment, a National Sports Marketing Company. A 1977 graduate of LaSalle Academy who just recently had a book release of Billy’s autobiography “Legendary Speaking”. Billy’s 35 years of his lifetime experiences behind the microphone and in front of the camera led him to do over 350 Hall of Fame interviews with Athletes and Entertainers.  Billy was an actor with appearances in over 26 movies and a Member of the SAG AFTRA Actors association.  An Ordinary Guy doing extraordinary things. Billy always felt if you could “Conceive It, Believe It, you could Achieve It”. Billy was a collector of fine cars and antiques.  Always a “Class Act”. 

Billy was blessed with many friends, of whom were all his brothers and sisters.  It became evident when his family and friends attended a recent Gala for the opening of his book, whereby over 500 attendees honored Billy “V” and who were acknowledged as his extended family.  Billy’s faith in God got him through his Cancer journey. Billy took pride in his children as they were his everything. When Billy was diagnosed with Cancer over 4 years ago, he fought this Cancer with every being in his soul, for his Children. There is a brick at LaSalle Academy that Billy bought the year he graduated – he had to come up with only two words for that Brick to be laid on the walk at LaSalle Academy for eternity.  The two words were “Test Yourself”.  He was proud watching his children test and better themselves every day of their life.  Billy proved to his partner, family, and friends that he was a fighter, always testing himself in the pursuit of beating this Cancer and to be here for his children for as long as he could. 

We will all miss Billy “V”.  The Man, the Myth, the Legend.

Funeral from the Nardolillo Funeral Home & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Monday at 9:45 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Johnston.

His Mass will be livestreamed via the Nardolillo Funeral Home Facebook page.

Entombment will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2:00 – 6:00 pm. Masks must be worn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Billy V. Scholarship Fund, a foundation that Billy started when he wrote his autobiography for students to attend LaSalle Academy. Please make checks payable to Billy “V” Scholarship Foundation and mail to Paul Vicario, CPA 240 Chestnut Street, Unit 2, Warwick, RI 02888. 

To send sympathy gifts to the family or plant a tree in memory of William A. (Billy "V") Vigeant, please visit the tribute store.