Bill Riley was one of seven children and the eldest son of Eileen Lacey and Edward Riley. He was born in Chicago and spent most of his childhood and adult life in Oak Park, graduating from St. Catherine's of Sienna and Fenwick High School.
He enrolled at Loyola University of Chicago as an accounting major. In 1943, Bill enlisted in Navy, serving initially as a training officer at midshipmen's school, then in the Pacific as a communications officer with the rank of Ensign. He saw active duty in the Pacific and became acting commander of his LCS (landing craft support) ship. He was awarded the Unit Citation Award for valor during the battle of Okinawa. After the war, Bill resumed his education, graduating from Loyola College and receiving a J.D. Degree from Depaul University.
After working for the IRS for several years, Bill started his own tax and estates legal practice in Chicago.
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In 1953, Bill married Frances Stone and they had two daughters, Kathy and Mary. Frances died in 1993.
An avid and scratch golfer, Bill continued playing until losing his eyesight to Macular Degeneration. Bill won the City of Chicago Golf championship while in high school, with a course record that stood for many decades.
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Bill's great friend Ginny Moore was instrumental in getting Bill his Unit Citation Award, which was presented to him in 2009 by U.S. Senators John McCain and Mark Kirk. In his typical modesty, Bill never mentioned that he spent three hours in the water rescuing other sailors.
Bill enjoyed his many friends at Belmont Village, where he lived since 2005. Bill died peacefully in his sleep at home, having recently spent time with his nearest relatives and friends.
Bill was pre-deceased by his sisters Eileen (Sis) and Rosemary, and is survived by his brothers Robert, Richard, Edward (Msgr) and Thomas, his daughters Kathy Plimpton of Greenwich, CT and Mary Riley of Studio City, Calif., his grandchildren Molly, Andy and CJ Plimpton, his son-in-law Frank Plimpton, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity run by Bill's younger brother Father Ed, who tends to the medical needs of the poor in Ibidan, outside Lagos, Nigeria. Information about the charity is at http://www.edrileysministries.org/index.htm.
