- Obituary from the Inter-Mountain, Elkins, West Virginia, Dec. 13, 2008:
William Monroe Riley, 80, of Canaan Valley, passed away Dec. 11, 2008, at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown.
He was born Dec. 13, 1927, in Charleston, a son of the late Orpha Collin and Nettie Carter Riley.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Marie Evans Riley, whom he married on May 27, 1961; two sons, James Frederick (Nicole) Riley of Charleston and William Douglas Riley of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; one sister, Carol Kameswaran of Ocala, Fla.; and four grandsons, James Martin Riley, Evan Hunter Riley, Noah Collin Riley and Aidan Oliver Riley.
Bill brought his grandsons their first fishing rods and guns. Each of the grandchildren held a special place in their granddad's heart and all were special to him. Mr. Riley attended schools in Hinton, Nitro and Williamson where he graduated high school in 1946. He attended and graduated in 1950 from Morris Harvey College. He was a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and was president of his senior class. He later joined his father's business, Riley's Department Store, managing the store located in Montgomery.
About 1973, Bill and Betty moved to Dunbar and Bill took over management of Riley's Department Store in Dunbar. He also owned and operated Mt. State Outfitters, which he started in a storefront on 19th Street in Dunbar. Bill was past president of the Lion's Club in Montgomery. He was a Mason and past member of the Shrine in Charleston. He was a member of the West Virginia Wildwater Association and during his earliest years, he was very active in the group and was an avid whitewater paddler.
His interests later centered mainly on hunting and fishing. He hunted and fished with his father and others, going on hunts in the western United States and fishing streams in West Virginia at the Cranberry and William Rivers.
He was a member of Trout Unlimited. He traveled the world pursing his interests, including four trips to Africa, one to Brazil, one to Labrador and one to Russia. In 1991, he sold his business and moved to Canaan Valley.
He was a member of the Buena Chapel United Methodist Church. Bill loved to kid and tease everyone he knew. He was a good husband, father and a well-respected and liked man.
Memorial services for the cremains of Mr. Riley will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at Buena Chapel United Methodist Church in Canaan Valley with the Rev. James Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Buena Chapel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 486, Davis, W.Va. 26260. Hinkle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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1927 - 2008 (80 years)
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