William E. Riley, Jr., 85, of Fairhaven died November 3, 2008 at home after a long illness.
He was the husband of Hilda S. (Rebello) Riley with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.
Born and raised in New Bedford, the son of the late William E. and Mary G. (Metthe) Riley, he lived in Fairhaven since 1961.
Mr. Riley was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven.
He was formerly employed as a truck driver with Gaspar's Linguica for many years until retirement.
Mr. Riley's greatest joys in life were his family, friends, music, John Wayne western movies and the Boston Red Sox.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II participating in the battles of the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was the recipient of the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Survivors include his wife; 2 daughters, Paula St. Onge and her husband Will of Acushnet and Anne Marie Garcia and her husband Del of Fairhaven; a sister, Mary Robillard of New Bedford; 4 grandchildren, Michael, Michelle, Kristine and Timothy; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Irene Helmer.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett Thursday, November 6th at 8 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven 9 AM. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours Wednesday, November 5th from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Nurse and Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719.