William Fred Riley

William Fred "Bill" Riley
1950 - 2009

Service: Friday, April 24, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in the West Chapel at 901 S. Sheridan.
Interment: Grand Lake Cemetery at a later date.

William Fred "Bill" Riley, born January 28, 1950, died April 19, 2009 after a 21-month battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his girlfriend Renee Silver. He is survived by three children, three grandchildren and their families, Rachael Riley Patten (Justin), Matthew Riley (Betsy and Ryen), and Erin Riley (Lorenzo & Jaxon). Bill is also survived by his four siblings and their families: Pattie Riley Priebe (Steve, Luke, & Katie); James Riley; Robert Riley (Nick, Alora, Gabriel and Nathaniel); and Richard Riley (Jamie, Zach [Chelsea & Jaden], Josh, Sean, Jessica, and Emily). Additionally, Bill is survived by his former wife Lucy Malloy (Pat) and by his close friends George Capan and Jerry Porter. Bill was preceded in death by his father Bob Lee Riley in 1981 and by his mother Lois "Polly" Durham Riley in 2001.

Bill Riley was born in Stillwater Oklahoma to parents Bob Lee Riley and Lois Polly Durham Riley, both graduates of Oklahoma State University. The family moved to Denver in 1954. Bill attended Bradley Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson Jr Sr High School class of 1968. In the 6th grade he wrote and directed a school-wide play about the birth of penicillin; he was a member of the Y-Indian Guides, an Eagle Scout and an active leader in the Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts. Chosen as a representative to the Colorado "Youth in Government," Bill was then elected Youth Governor of Colorado for that term. An avid skier and member of the Ski Patrol, Bill loved the mountains. He lived on Ptarmigan Mountain in Summit County in the mountains for a number of years after high school. He loved to visit the family cabin in Grand Lake.

Bill Riley believed in God. He is remembered by many as a unique individual, an idealist, a storyteller, a speaker, a thinker with a keen mind, profound insights and an awesome memory. He was someone with strong views who loved to debate issues of truth and the meaning of life. Bill was a charismatic personality and his incredible mind was a great asset and blessing to all who knew him. A flower child and strong participant in the late 60's/ early 70's cultural revolution, Bill was a leader in exploring the significant issues of those changing times. A regular at the cultural and rock events of the time such as at the Family Dog, Bill was once kissed on the cheek by Janis Joplin. He helped coordinate the entertainment for the first Earth Day in Colorado.

Bill married "the girl next door" Lucy Backus and they had three beautiful children. Though divorced in 1981, Bill regarded his children as his most precious gift.

During Bill's adult life, he worked in a variety of jobs including carpentry, construction, taxi driving, driving, and highway work. Always important to him through his life was the opportunity to continue learning and debating in matters close to his heart, such as spirituality, Christianity, history, science, sports, current events, and politics. Bill was an avid Broncos and Avalanche fan. Love for the outdoors was a constant in Bill's life and he spent hundreds of hours hunting, fishing, hiking, or at the Grand Lake cabin. Bill was an ardent fisherman even until the end of his life when battling cancer.

Bill was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2007. Since then he fought the hard fight with courage, dignity and determination. He relied on his faith as a Christian. He was a warrior in his attitude and his desire to live. Bill was a very memorable and beloved person and he will be missed. To some of us who loved him the world seems a little poorer now, a little bit more ordinary and bland without Bill Riley in the world.