Richard William Riley's Obituary
Richard Riley, age 86, of Unionville, MO passed away on September 30,2024 at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
Richard William Riley was born in Rock Island, Illinois on January 20, 1938, the son of George Paul and Aline (Moore) Riley who preceded him in death. He was raised mostly in the Powersville, MO area and moved to Unionville at the age of 12 and graduated from Unionville High School in 1956.
Richard married Shirley Rennells on August 9, 1957, she precedes him in death. After briefly living in Cedar Rapids, IA, Richard and Shirley returned to Putnam County to raise their five children.
Richard was always working. He started milking cows with his Grandpa Moore at the age of 6. He then started working at Herrick Rexall Drug Store at the age of 14 making $12.50 a week. He then worked for the city of Unionville, a surveyor for the MO Highway Department and Doc McCalment. He also worked surveying roads and lots at Lake Thunderhead on its development. In 1972, Richard started working as a foreman for Missouri Mining, which included managing the wash plant, purchasing, scale house, and https://trucking.He then ran the pheasant and catfish operation and processing plant for the mine before its closing. After the mine closed, he ran First Choice Game bird farm with his sons. Multiple grandchildren worked for Richard where he instilled in them the importance of hard work.
Richard had a passion for working on the family farm including raising cattle, hogs, and mowing and raking hay. He loved to go antiquing with friends and loved bringing home unusual things. Richards also mentioned prior to his death he had read almost every western book from our local library.
Richard is survived by his children: Curtis (Sheryl) Riley, Eric (Tonda) Riley, Barb (Tim) Hodges, Paul Riley, and Lisa (Chad) Wyant all of Unionville. Grandchildren include Jeremy Riley, Ariane Casady, Angela Riley, Brianna Stamm, Sarah Triplett, Jaclyn Billington, Kyle Hodges, Lisa Stobbe, Joseph Riley, Emily Maring, Justin Riley, Elizabeth Reid, Mattie Shahan, and Heather Newman. Great grandchildren include Shelby Tanner, Annakate, Audrey and Logan Riley, Abbie and Calin Casady, Eliza Stamm, Lily, Sage and Wren Triplett, Cali Billington, Savanah and Boston Stobbe, Riley and Reid Hodges, Watson and Asher Maring, Brynlee and Braylee Riley, Tucker, Kya and Tate Shahan, Sophie Reid and the newest great grandchild Baby Reid to arrive any day. He is also survived by his half sister Carol (Milt) Loft of Florida.
He is preceded in death by a great grandson Ezra James Stamm, grandson Robert Stamm, brother Jerry Riley, and sisters Barbara Galloway and Rebecca Green, and stepfather Robert Hampton.
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