Roger Donald Riley (Don to his friends and Boompa to his grandchildren, great grandchildren and their friends), born August 29, 1926, peacefully passed away on January 18, 2026 at the age of 99. He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Wilma Jean Riley, just 8 months ago. Their 5 children; Patricia Fischbeck (Robert), Diane Erdman (Russ), Bradford Riley, Jennifer Riley, and Melissa Hinz (Brad) and his much loved grandchildren; Robert Fischbeck, Shelly Wunderlich, Kelly Erdman, Brian Erdman, Sean Riley, Charles Riley, Megan Sullins, Andrew Powers, Elizabeth Lindley, Benjamin Hinz, and Cara Phillips remain. He was also blessed with 11 great grandchildren.
Don grew up in Waverly, Missouri, the only child of Frank and Lucile Riley. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1944 and was active in Boy Scouts of America achieving the honored distinction of Eagle Scout. Don enlisted in the US Navy in the summer of 1944 and attended Naval Aviation training at Central College in Fayette, Missouri. Don served in the Navy for just slightly less than 8 years. During those years he was stationed on the East and West Coasts of the United States and served aboard ships in the Mediterranean and South Pacific.
Don married Wilma Jean Orear January 12, 1951 and after his discharge from the Navy they settled in Waverly to raise their family. His first job, after his time in the Navy, was as an ammunition tester at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence. Then Don worked with his father at Frank Riley and Son Hardware and Grocery and in 1958 took on the additional job of Assistant Rural Letter Carrier. He subsequently became the full time Rural Carrier and in 1985 was appointed Postmaster of Waverly.
He was also very active in community affairs. Don served as a volunteer fireman; a member of American Legion Post 580; a member of the Waverly JC’s; a scoutmaster; a member of the R-10 school board during the difficult years of consolidation; served on the Waverly City Council; a 4-H leader; he was one of the organizers of the Waverly Swim Club and the Waverly Senior Citizen Housing Authority; and he served on the administrative board of the Waverly United Methodist Church. He also sang in the church choir, and was an active member of square dance and round dance groups.
Don loved a good hot cup of coffee and almost anything outdoors. Camping, boating, swimming, hiking, bird watching, and traveling were some of his favorite things to do and when he could combine all of them, especially with a couple of grandchildren along for the fun, he was very happy.
He made the best buttermilk pancakes and homemade bread. The copper wind chimes, Christmas candles, fire starters, and a much-used homemade ski boat were testaments to his creativity and his attitude that anything is possible.
To his loving family and friends Don was a wonderful example of how to live a full and meaningful life with love, faith, gratitude and service.
The family will hold a celebration of Don’s life on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at The Waverly United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 116 W Kelling Ave., Waverly, MO from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Memorials should be directed to the Waverly United Methodist Church, 116 W Kelling Ave., Waverly, MO 64096
Source: KMZU, The Farm
