Our dad, William Thomas Riley, went to heaven to be with our maker on May 12, 2023, in the Billings Clinic Hospital surrounded by his family.
Dad was the first born to Ernest and Julia Belback Riley in Rockglen Saskatchewan on November 20, 1935. He was followed by his four siblings, Wayne, Sharon, Doyle, and Margaret. He attended school in RockGlen until the family eventually moved to Nashua, Montana. Dad graduated from Nashua High School in 1954 where he played football, basketball, and track. Over the years he worked at many family farms and ranches including the Bergtolls, Speers, Millers and Tihistas. He often talked about these families, telling funny stories and how much he enjoyed his time with them.
In 1954, Dad married Janice Von Eschen in Fort Peck, Montana. The oldest of four children, Vicki was born in 1955, followed by Pat in 1957, Mike in 1958 and Sherryl in 1960.
Dad was employed by Buttrey’s Food in 1955 in Glasgow then moved to Malta to work for them as a butcher. Our family moved back to Glasgow where Dad worked for Sinclair Produce, as a painter at Fort Peck in the dam tunnels, and in the Plentywood oil fields. He joined the Glasgow School District in 1968 as a custodian at the South Side School and retired in 1998. Dad was well respected throughout the district and cherished the friendships he made. Dad was also a farmer often coming home from work and spending most of the night working in the fields or out keeping watch on cows during calving season. He taught us so many useful life skills while we lived on the farm.
After Dad retired, he bought a boat and spent years fishing all across Fort Peck Lake. He loved to take his family and friends out boating and fishing. Many of his children and grandchildren caught not only the fishing “bug” but also a love of hunting and the outdoors from Grandpa.
Dad was always one to enjoy a good practical joke and tell a great story.
Dad was preceded in death by his dad, mom, sister Sharon Ozark, brother Doyle Riley, nephews DeWayne Ozark and Brad Riley and his granddaughter Amanda Martin.
He is survived by daughter Vicki and husband Jeff Brinkman, son Pat and wife Linda, Mike and wife Janet, Sherri and husband Brad Martin, 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Dad never met a stranger. He was a wonderful soul, so kind and giving to everyone. We will miss him each and every day.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana with Pastor Rick Thompson officiating, burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Condolences may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday May 20, 2023
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana
Celebration of His Life
2:30 p.m.
Saturday May 20, 2023
Ridge Runners
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday May 20, 2023
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana
Celebration of His Life
2:30 p.m.
Saturday May 20, 2023
Ridge Runners
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Share
Shirley Nybakken Ball says
Bill and I were in the same class at Nashua High School. I always enjoyed seeing Bill through the years – I have a good picture of him when we attended one of the nashua school reunions. RIP Bill, you will have many of our clasmates with you.. Condolances to your family.
Nancy Lierow says
To all of Bill’s family I send my condolences. I met him shortly after we moved to Glasgow in 1971 and I always enjoyed visiting with him. May he rest in peace. 🙏
Alicia A Zeller says
I remember Bill and my dad Willie cleaning away at school. Great memories sitting round the table in the school kitchen. He will be missed and I am glad to say a better person to have known him.
MICHAEL MITCHELL says
Worked for Bill as assistant during the summer at the school. Always enjoyed his wit, he called me Mitchell and I would say back to him, Really now Riley that’s what we have to do. I called him that every time I would see him. He will be missed.