Born on Oct. 4, 1930 in Blanche, Mo. Robert Lee “Bob” Riley, son of William Henry Riley and Ethel Hicks Riley, was born on Oct. 4, 1930 in Blanche, Mo., and departed this life on Nov. 4, 2006 from a heart attack in Clinton, Mo., at the age of 76.
Robert was a resident of Clinton since 1985, moving from Belton. He grew up in the Ava community in Douglas County. On Nov. 25, 1950, Robert and Betty Jo McDaniel were united in Mountain Home, Ark., and to this union four children were born. Betty Jo and Robert had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Ava. Robert was a retired foundation contractor and owned and operated B&B Foundation for years.
He was a veteran and served his country in the U.S. Army and was a life member of the VFW. Robert was of the Baptist faith. He always said his prayers every night before he went to sleep. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, watching westerns on TV, and his dog, Twister. He loved being with his family and his grandchildren and great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Buster and Bill; and one sister, Ruth Hendrix.
Robert is survived by his wife, Betty Jo, of the home in Clinton; four children and their spouses, Linda and Rayford Welch, Ava, Vicki and Terry Ryles, Clinton, Russell and Cynthia Riley, Cleveland, Mo., and Tammie and Jeff Williams, Clinton; eight grandchildren, Robert, Jamie, Earle and Jared Riley, Melinda and Tonya Ryles, and Brittney and Shelby Williams; three great-grandchildren, Deja Lindly, Ava Riley and Kathryn Woods; eight sisters, Anna Adams and Beverly Meredith, both of Independence, Virginia Taylor and Lorene Robertson, both of Mansfield, Evelyn Bagwell, Springfield, Shirley LaVon Twitty, Ash Grove, Ethel Versaw and Luzona Hartin both of Ava; one brother, Carroll Riley, Springfield; a sister-in-law, Shirley Riley, Ava; and host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with the Revs. Tom Johnson and Don Graham officiating. Interment was in the Ava Cemetery. Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Allen Street Baptist Church, Clinton.
