Riley, Stephen Paul
Stephen Paul Riley, 82 after fighting a long hard battle with Alzheimers passed peacefully in his sleep at his home in Warner Robins, Georgia on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Stephen was born on May 7, 1941, in Richwood, West Virginia to the late Freda Augustine Skidmore Robertson.
He is preceded in death by his Wife, Frances Ann Hall Riley; Daughter, Reneé Ann Riley; Brother, Hylbert Vincent Riley; Sister, Jimmie Beth Robertson; Dad, Henry Marion Robertson and Grandmother, Amanda Myrtle Whaling Skidmore.
Stephen graduated in 1960 from Narrows High School where he excelled in Football playing Right Guard for the Green Waves. His jersey number was 36 and he was nicknamed Steve O’Reno. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1963 and served overseas in Germany with the 440th Signal Battalion, Company “C” as a sergeant.
In 1966 Stephen met Frances and they fell in love, married, June 9, 1967 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. During their 54 years of marriage God blessed them with 4 children. Stephen took so much pride in being a devoted husband and a wonderful father. Also caring for his nieces and nephews.
In 1977 they moved to San Jose, California for better job opportunities. Stephen landed a job at Lockheed Martin in 1981 where he took on many projects over the years including painting Space Shuttles like the Columbia, Discovery and Challenger, Rockets, Missles, Aircraft, Space Station parts, Moffet Field Hanger, a part of the Hubble Telescope and his last project he worked on before he retired in 2004 was the Mars Rover.
He was a Baseball Coach for Moreland Little League in the 1980s and was well known for his motto, “That’s All Right Son!” He was an advocate for children. “If you could help one child, you could help so many more.”
After he retired he and his wife moved back to his childhood home in Narrows. He was quite the Fisherman, a Fly Fisherman at best. He loved the outdoors, the beach, traveling, camping, gardening, westerns, football and baseball. He enjoyed Rich Creek United Methodist Church.
His door and garage of his home was always open for everyone. He loved his VW Thing. He was a hard worker and took pride in everything he did. He was a simple man that loved life. His heart was golden. He was full of love and kindness. He would help anyone that needed it and would give you the shirt off his back if need be.
In 2017 he and his wife moved to Warner Robins, GA to be closer to their children. Where they spent there last loving years together.
Stephen is survived by his only son Anthony Paul Riley and his wife Jessica (Zahn) Riley of Eastman, GA; his twin daughters Bevin Olga (Riley) Diamond and her husband Jared Seth Diamond of Byron, GA; Nicole Lea (Riley) Andrews and her husband William Andrews of Byron, GA; his four “Big Boy” Grandsons Jared “Yadi” Seth Diamond II, Anthony “AJ” Paul Riley, Jr., Zachary Scott Paul Riley, Archie Isaac Diamond; Brother John A. Riley and his wife Brenda of Narrows, VA; Brother Michael L. Robertson and his wife Paula of Bluefield, WV; Sister Patricia A. Winston and her husband Donald of Burning Springs, WV; Brother D. Joseph Robertson and his wife Elizabeth of Narrows, VA; many Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Great and Grand Nieces and Nephews.
We would like to thank the VA Home Base Primary Care of Dublin, GA and All Ways Caring of Perry, GA. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 2pm at the Givens – Riffe Funeral Chapel in Narrows, VA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 1 hour before the service from 1 – 2 pm.
The family is being served by Givens – Riffe Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.
