- Date Of Death: January 16, 2022
- State: Missouri
William Joseph “Bill” Riffel, 89, of Moberly, MO, was welcomed peacefully into eternal rest in the early hours of January 16, 2022.
Born August 6, 1932 to Thomas “TM” and Anna (Beuth) Riffel, he was the youngest of five children. He was enamored with his older brother, John “Tommy” Riffel and survived by the very sisters who doted on him until the end: Dorothy “Dottie” Paisley, Mary Jamboretz and Mildred “Mike” Winscott.
Bill was a kind, wise and faithful family man who treasured a good book, cheered on the St. Louis Cardinals and spent his Sundays hauling carfuls of kids to Rothwell Park to fish and play, following morning Mass.
Bill attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School and frequently waxed sentimental of the nuns who imparted valuable lessons in discipline, charity and prayer. He went on to excel at Chaminade High School in St. Louis, as class valedictorian and editor of the school paper. In college, he served as president of the prestigious business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, and played on the soccer team at St. Louis University. Again, he graduated valedictorian and picked up many lasting friends along the way.
Bill spent sixty-six years married to the love of his life, Ann (Saenger) Riffel. Rumor has it Bill was drafted into the military and rejected when the medical examiners realized he could not wear wool uniforms. Lucky for us, he returned to Arkansas to ask Ann for a date, and after a picnic and a few rounds of dancing, the rest was, as they say, history. Bill and Ann were married on a beautiful fall morning October 8, 1955 and celebrated with family and friends near Frontenac Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri.
After moving with Ann to Moberly, Missouri, Bill joined his father’s real-estate team at The TM Riffel Agency. Both studious and kind, with an insatiable desire for knowledge, it’s no surprise he found success quickly and as his career changed and grew, so did his family.
Through the years he held roles at Laclede Bond and Mortgage, Citizens Savings and Loan, Community Federal Savings and Loan and was Owner of Riffel Appraisal Company. In 1965, he was elected President of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce, and served a number of terms on the board for the Moberly Economic Development Corporation. He was inducted into the Moberly Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 1997.
Bill and Ann had six children. Bill enjoyed a good round of golf and loved to trout fish with his sons. He was the dad you called after a speeding ticket to bail you out of trouble. He had an infectious laugh and a depth of wisdom that those who knew him will cherish forever. Even towards the end he could recall a poem from his honeymoon in New Orleans and always leant the best listening ear over a fresh pot of coffee. Bill was a trusted friend. He danced to big band, gardened with a very green thumb and found a reason to drink the good wine. He was a candy maker, as well as connoisseur, and loved everything about the spirit of Christmastime. He loved Ann’s cooking, he could be found in slacks and a sweater peering over his glasses and a newspaper, he was a gentle and patient grandpa.
The eternal optimist joins his parents, brother Tommy, son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Suzy (Sims) Riffel, and many close friends together with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He is survived by family who will honor his memory while missing him terribly including his beloved wife, Ann, children; Mike Riffel and his wife Dee, Becky Orscheln and her husband Bill, Mary Riffel, Chris Riffel, and Joe Riffel and his wife Christy. Grandchildren; Aaron (Susan) Lueders, Meredith (Tysen) Williams, Andrew McGregor, Sarah (Mark) Sylvester, Billy (Joanna) Orscheln, Christian Orscheln, Anna Riffel, Jack Riffel and great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to St. Pius X Church or the Alzheimer’s Association in Bill’s honor. The family asks that you carry on Bill’s legacy by loving your neighbor and praying for peace in our world.
