- Date Of Birth: May 1, 1923
- Date Of Death: January 13, 2008
- State: Illinois
Paul M. Riley, 84 years, of Virginia, IL died January 13, 2008 at the Walker Nursing Home in Virginia.
He was born May 1, 1923 in Cass County, IL; the son of Walter and Grace Irvin Riley. He married Betty Leona Johnson on February 28, 1949 in Hensley, Arkansas and she preceded in death on May 22, 2003.
He is survived by five sons, Walter Riley of Virginia, Alan Riley (wife, Colleen) of Goffstown, NH, Donald Riley (wife, Donna) of Virginia, Edward Riley (wife, Deb) of Waukesha, WI, and Carl Riley (wife, Sharon) of Smithfield; three daughters, Susan Shelts (husband, Jim) of Jacksonville, Karen Simonds (husband, Rodney) of Jacksonville, and Beverly Bencher of Virginia; eight grandchildren, Kate and Kim Riley of Goffstown, NH, Paul C. Riley of Virginia, David Riley of Glendale, CA, Bryn and Claire Simonds of Jacksonville, and Jessica and Amber Bencher of Virginia; five step grandchildren; two sisters, Freida Dalton of San Diego, CA and Marge Fanning (husband, George) of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Riley (surviving wife, Patricia of Virginia) and William â??Billâ? Riley, and a sister, Helen Kruse.
Mr. Riley was a 1941 graduate of Virginia High School and served with the US Navy from 1942 to 1946. Following military service, he farmed in Cass County for several years. He later worked as a mechanic for Reynolds Service Station and retired following several years as a truck driver for C & H Transportation. He was a life long member of Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, west of Virginia, and an early member of the Cass County Cavaliers motorcycle club. A private pilot, he previously enjoyed flying his two airplanes. He enjoyed tinkering and welding in his shop, gardening in his yard, maintaining his extensive purple martin houses, and most of all, spending time with his family.
