Joseph William "Bill" Riley

Joseph William “Bill” Riley, 91 of Chillicothe passed from this life on Sunday evening, December 9, 2018 in Adena Regional Medical Center.  He was born June 23, 1927 in Chillicothe, the son of Joe Esker Riley and Bertha May (Howard) Riley.  On February 2, 1948 he married Helen Betty Shoemaker and they spent 70 years together.  Betty recently passed on December 3, 2018.

Surviving are his daughters, Vickie (Jeff) Rickey and Kim (Joe) Litter, all of Chillicothe; grandchildren, Josh (Roslyn) Varnado, Maggie (Nathan) Barker and Riley (Drew) Bobb; great-grandchildren, Leah and Audrey Varnado and Remington and Colt Barker; a sister, Joyce Townsend; a sister-in-law, Nancy Riley, both of Chillicothe and a host of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, sisters, Mary Elizabeth “Snook” (Dave) Gallaugher and Virginia “Sity” (Dewey) Roush and brothers, Jack and Robert Riley.

Bill was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1989.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in WW II in the Pacific Theatre.  His memberships included Scioto Lodge #6, F&AM, The Chillicothe York Rite, American Legion Post 757 and the Ross Conservation League.

He will be remembered as a long -time member and Past President of the Chillicothe Cavalier Club.  He was the announcer for Chillicothe High School athletics for more than 30 years and was known as the “Voice of the Cavaliers”.  The press box at Herrnstein Field was named in his honor.  Bill also served as an official for the Ohio Association of Track and Field and was an official for the Ohio Special Olympics.

Because of his service in WW II, he missed his graduation from CHS.  One of his proudest moments was the reception of his High School diploma in 2001

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 15, 2018 in the FAWCETT OLIVER GLASS AND PALMER FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Chris VanBuskirk officiating.  Burial will follow in Twin Township Cemetery with military honors by the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe Cavalier Club, 326 Fairway Ave., Chillicothe, OH 45601

The Fawcett Oliver Glass and Palmer Funeral Home are honored to serve the family.

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