Obituary of Tom Riley

Williams Thomas W. Riley, 72, of Williams, died Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at his residence. Born April 30, 1941 in Terre Haute, IN, he was the son of Bill and Virginia (Zerwick) Riley. He married Janice Owens on August 31, 1968 and she survives. He was a graduate of Garfield High School in Terre Haute with the class of 1958. A 1967 graduate of Indiana State University, he was the librarian for Shoals Community Schools for thirty-eight years. He earned three masters degrees in Education, Geography and Counseling. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1960, serving on the USS Howard Gilmore and USS Bushnell. He later affiliated with the Navy Reserves and retired after thirty total years of service. An accomplished guitarist, he played professionally throughout Indiana for over fifty years, culminating in his 2010 induction into the Wabash Valley Musicians Association Hall of Fame. His legacy in music has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was a life-long Indiana Basketball and Cleveland Browns football fan, attending many games with his family. He was a member of the Williams Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Janice, of Williams; two sons, William Riley (Ginger) of Williams, Matthew Riley (Deanna) of Terre Haute; a daughter, Melissa, of Bloomfield; five grandsons, Mack, Colton, William, John Edward and James; a granddaughter, Karissa; a sister, Peg Kennedy (John) of Robinson, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 8th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Bro. Paul Guthrie officiating. Burial will follow in the Williams Church of Christ Cemetery where military rites will be accorded at the graveside. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, January 7th and from 9:00 am until the hour of service on Wednesday, January 8th at the Day & Carter Mortuary.