Bill Riley

William Earnest Riley, Captain, USN (Ret) died on September 13, 2016. He was 81 years old. Capt. Riley was a native of Columbus, Georgia. He graduated with a BS degree from the University of Georgia in 1957 and a Masters in Political Science from Georgia College and State University in 1991. Capt. Riley was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and an avid Georgia Bulldog fan. Capt. Riley was commissioned an Ensign in March 1958, and received his "Navy Wings of Gold" in Sept. 1959. Capt. Riley has flown as an Attack Pilot in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, flying A-1 Skyraider, A-4 Skyhawk, and A-7 Corsair 2 from the decks of six aircraft carriers: USS Intrepid [CVA-11], USS Enterprise [CVAN-65], USS America [CVA-66], USS Oriskany [CVA-34], USS KittyHawk [CVA-63], and USS Constellation [CVA-64]. Capt. Riley has served with VA-65, NAS Oceana, Va.; NATTC Glynco, Ga.; VA-44, VA-65, VA-174, VA-82 and Commander, Light Attack Wing ONE staff, NAS Cecil Field, Fla; Staff CTF-77/COMCARGRU FIVE, Cubi Point Phillippines, NAS Alameda, Ca and Staff CINCLANT/CINCLANTFLT, Norfolk, Va. He was a graduate of the Air Force Command and Staff College, Montgomery, ALA., and the Naval War College, Newport, R.I. Capt. Riley was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, flying over 100 missions. He served as commanding officer of Training Squadron Seven, Meridian, Miss. Capt. Riley's awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, two individual Air Medals, seven strike/flight Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, and Meritorious Unit Commendations. He retired June 30, 1988 residing on Lake Sinclair in Putnam County, Ga. Capt. Riley is survived by his wife of 57 years, Peggy; and sons, Haston (Melissa) of Douglasville, Ga. and Peyton (Wendy) of Fayeteville, Ga.; and five grandchildren, Justin, Hunter, Madison, Peyton Jr., and Lanier; and sister, Faye Pickett of Columbus. Services will be held at the Milledgeville First United Methodist Church on Friday, September 16, 2016 at 2 PM. The family will receive friends at the church from 1PM until the service hour. In place of flowers, donations may be made to the Milledgeville First United Methodist Church, 366 Log Cabin Road, Milledgeville, Ga. 30161.

Bill Riley

October 19, 1934 - September 13, 2016