Tributes

William Orlan Riley (Bill to family and friends) passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on January 28, 2025, in North Fort Myers, Florida. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Shelly Dawn Riley; his father, William Orlan Riley (Sr.); his mother, Betty Jane Pittman Smith; and his sister Patricia Jane (Janie) Grace. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Dana Tull Riley; his daughter, Sheri Tucker (and husband Tim) of Robertsdale, AL; his son, Shawn Riley (and partner John of Austin, TX); his stepdaughters, Amanda Money (and husband Steven) of Sandy Springs, GA, and Jamey Gibson (and husband Eric) of Santa Fe, TX; his sons, Brandon Riley of Leander, TX and Christopher Riley (and wife Natalya) of Austin, TX; and eight cherished grandchildren, Taylor, Bobby, Michael, Haley, Landon, Jaidyn, Kenley, and Parker. Bill is also survived by his sister, Brenda Thompson, brother Jim Riley, and 15 nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Bill attended schools in Oklahoma City and southeastern Oklahoma. Throughout his life he built a legacy across various industries and regions. As a young “bidness” man he was involved in shoe sales, retail dry goods, and owned a drug store in Chandler, Oklahoma. In 1977, he moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he successfully launched a coal mining operation. He later relocated to Eufaula, Oklahoma, to establish his own oil and gas companies. He also invested in a fertilizer plant and a barge loading facility in northeastern Oklahoma. In 1991, Bill moved to Austin, Texas, where he continued to manage his oil and gas ventures. A few years later he met Dana and together they explored a variety of business ventures. Bill started a mango processing plant in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, shipping produce to the US and Canada. They also developed real estate on Lake Travis, where they built their own home, and Bill became a custom home builder. Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit was matched only by his deep faith, devotion to his family, and love of adventure. He cherished time with loved ones and was always eager to share stories from his childhood and business ventures. His energy, sense of humor, and zest for life were felt by everyone who knew him. He found joy in sharing his wisdom, and making others laugh. In his leisure time, Bill enjoyed hunting (especially duck-hunting), fishing, golfing, gardening, and boating. After moving to Florida, he enjoyed trips to the beach, bird watching, photography, gardening, and the state’s beautiful weather. Bill’s kind and generous nature made him a beloved figure in his community. His legacy of love, faith, and hard work will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. A visitation and viewing will be available on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Tishomingo, Oklahoma (located at 407 East Main Street); followed by Funeral Service at 2:00 pm in the same location. Interment will take place at Tishomingo City Cemetery (705 S Murray Ave, Tishomingo, Oklahoma). All who knew Bill are invited to join in celebrating his life and remembering the positive impact he had on so many. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Tributes

William Orlan Riley "Bill"

April 4, 1942 - January 28, 2025