William C. Riley

William C. Riley, 76, of rural Williamsburg, went home to be with his Lord and Savior following a courageous battle with cancer Nov. 2, 2021.

He was born June 27, 1945, in Altoona, son of the late Earl Vincent and Viola Emma (Reigh) Riley. On May 3, 1980, he married the love of his life, Patricia A. Moyer at the Yellow Springs Lutheran Church, Williamsburg.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years; a sister, Shelby J. Walls (Dick) of Westernport, Md .; his mother-in-law, Ethel Moyer of Williamsburg; two sisters-inlaw: Linda Smith (Gerald) of rural Martinsburg and Grace Suter (Pat) of Langhorne; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers: Michael G. Riley and David E. Riley.

William was a 1963 graduate of Williamsburg High School. He served in the United States Air Force from July 23, 1963 until July 22, 1967 with the 2869th GEEIA Installation Construction Squadron, where he served at the following locations: Lackland AFB and Shepherd AFB, both in Texas, Norton AFB, Edwards AFB and March AFB, all in California, Angels Peak, New Mexico, Nellis AFB, Nevada, Everett Navy Base, Washington, Klamath Falls, Oregon, Midway, Wake and Guam, Eniwetok Navy Base, Hickam Field, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Ascension Island, Paengnyong-Do AFB, Korea and Wegelam AFB, Guam. While serving in Korea, he received a commendation for saving the life of a Korean man, after administering an arm to arm blood transfusion.

William graduated in June of 1968 from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey, where he served as a member of the State Police and in the State Policemen’s Rodeo. He retired as a prison guard from the Smithfield Penitentiary, Huntingdon and later worked at the Blair County Court House, as a deputy and with Homeland Security. William and his wife, Patricia also owned and operated Riley’s Confectionary in Williamsburg, while he was working at the prison.

He loved spending time with his family, reading books, camping and taking trips with Patricia to the beach, out west and Hawaii. William also enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.

William was a truly talented man, who could make or fix about anything, he will be sadly missed beyond words by Patricia and all those who loved him. The family would like to send a special thank you to UPMC Hospice and Williamsburg Family Practice for all their wonderful care.

A funeral was held Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church. Pastor Brian L. McCall officiated.

Private interment with full military honors was held at Yellow Springs Lutheran Cemetery, rural Williamsburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations in William’s memory be given to the Williamsburg Vol. Fire Company, 305 E. Second St., Williamsburg, PA 16693.

Arrangements by John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Williamsburg. (www.bolgerfuneralhome.com)