William C. “Bill” Riley

William C. “Bill” Riley, 53 of Tipton died at 12:37 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023 at home after a long battle with cancer. Bill was born in Tipton on May 9, 1970 and had lived in Tipton most of his life.

Bill was a graduate of Tipton High School in the Class of 1989. Soon after graduating he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Riley in Junction City, Kansas and in Korea, serving from 1992-95. He earned a degree as Lab Technician in 2011 and later became a licensed bartender. Prior to his illness he worked at CNH Industrial in Lebanon for several years.

Attending concerts was a big joy in Bill’s life and he especially loved metal music. He could definitely be called a Marvel comic aficionado. Spending time with family and friends making memories was most important to Bill.

Survivors include a sister, Dawn Riley Davidson and husband Dennis, Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Although he never had any children, Bill considered Kayla Long (husband Lance) of Sharpsville, Klayton Smith (Jill) of Alexandria and Gabriel Smith of Tipton as his own, helping to raise them through the years. Their mother, Sharon Smith-Shaffer, was a special lifetime friend and caregiver.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews Broc Tragesser, Abbi Tragesser, Morgan Hamilton and Charlie Davidson as well as great-nieces and nephews Gavin Tragesser, Zoe Garrison, Lorelei Hamilton and Eleanor Hamilton. His surrogate grandchildren were Morgan Long and Koleson Smith.

Bill was preceded in death by his father Jerry Riley and one brother, Jerald Riley.

A memorial service honoring Bill’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home starting with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the Tipton American Legion. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Fischer House Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 791598, Baltimore, Maryland, 21279 or at fischerhouse.org.