Edward Riley, Jr.

Published 10:56 am Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Funeral Services were held Monday December 21, 2015at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel in Prentiss, MS for Mr. Edward Monroe Riley, Jr., age 80, who passed away on December 14, 2015 at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX. Interment followed in New Hebron Cemetery. Rev. Sonny Adkins Officiated. Saulters Moore Funeral Home of Prentiss was in charge of all arrangements.

Mr. Riley, Jr. was born August 5, 1935 in New Hebron, MS.  The son of Edward Monroe Riley, Sr. and Vera Burkett Riley. A graduate of New Hebron High School in 1953, he soon enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1954. On December 29, 1956 he married the love of his life, Dorothy Ann Berry Riley.

His Naval service spanned the course of 20 years and took him to the Pacific, South China Sea, Japan, Korea, North Atlantic, Antarctica Deep Freeze Operations, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and two wartime tours in Vietnam in 1966-67 and 1972-73.

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He served aboard seven ships from destroyers to aircraft carriers.

His service to our nation earned several accommodations and medals including the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Naval Commendation Medal, Antarctic Service Medal, Two National Defense Service Medals, China Service Medal and three good conduct medals.

He retired from the United States Navy September 1, 1974, at the rank of Lieutenant having progressed from his rank of seaman apprentice. Upon retirement he entered private industry, retiring from Bayer Corporation in 1997 after 23 years in Orange, TX.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Ann Berry Riley of Orange, TX; Three sons, Edward M. Riley, III and his wife Ellison Stollenwerch Riley of Irving, TX, Donald Berry Riley and his wife, Tracey Riley of Cypress, TX and Ronald Maurice Riley of Mabank, TX; Five grandchildren, David Jonah Riley of College Station, TX, Jacob Daniel Riley of Houston, TX and Aaron Joseph Riley of College Station, TX and twin granddaughters, Catherine Grace Riley and Sarah Bridgette Riley both of College Station, TX; Three great grandchildren, Hadley Grace Riley, Kayleigh Riley and Ryatt Johnathan Riley; One brother Benjamin Burkett Riley of Union City, TN; and many loved and cherished nieces and nephews.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available atwww.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.