Clovis Riley

1932 - 2014

KERRVILLE - Clovis Benjamin Riley, 82 of Kerrville, died peacefully at home on Monday, June 2, 2014. He is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

Clovis was born May 27, 1932 on a farm in Throckmorton, Texas. His years growing up were spent with his three brothers and sister doing chores, going to a little country church and attended school in a one room school house. Clovis was a star football player at Albany High School, where he met the love of his life, Betty. At the age of 18 and 17, they married on February 2, 1951. He then went on to college at the University of Texas at El Paso.

At the age of 21, he graduated and began his football coaching career in Mason, Texas. He then went on to coach in Olney, Texas, where he took the team to State. Following that, he coached at Abilene Cooper High School, and was their first football coach, as this was a new school. Lastly, he coached in Sherman, Texas for the Bearcats. He made such an impact on his players that an Athletic Scholarship was formed in his honor that is still thriving today. Up until his death, players from every team he coached would make frequent visits to see Coach.

After coaching, Clovis went on to spend a few years in the Life Insurance field and then in the oil field industry where he owned and operated Clovis Riley, Inc. and CRW Producing. It was during this time he kept some cattle and horses where he found much solace in times of stress.

For everyone who knew Clovis, he will always be remembered for his witty sense of humor, his acceptance of others, and his immense generosity. He was truly a friend to all, a friend who went above and beyond to help anyone who needed it. He was a genuine person who never gave up.

Those that preceded him in death and that he is now reunited with in Heaven are his wife of 62 years, Betty Riley; his parents, Joseph Benjamin and Willie Etta Riley, three brothers, Artie, Wilburn, and Virgil Riley; his son, Mike Riley; and his daughter, Paula Saenz.

Survivors include his sister, Loyce Charles and husband, T.A. of Brackenridge, Texas; two daughters, Donna Loyce Harris of Kerrville, and Karen Hale and husband, Cameron of San Antonio; three granddaughters, Carly McClellan, Abby Winn and husband, Wilson, and Rachel McClellan; two great grandsons, William Harris and Keaton Riley Winn; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday 5 - 7 p.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Services will be held Friday 2 p.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels officiated by Rev. Mike Herrington and Rev. Max Teague. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.

The family thanks Dr. Rebecca Barrington for her quick wit and no nonsense approach, which matched that of Dad's and eased the pain during many appointments. They would also like to thank Alamo Hospice and the kindness and compassion of the beautiful angels they sent to make Dad's final day as comfortable as possible. Our strong faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the unconditional love of our family and friends will help us remain strong until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, American Diabetes Association, or to the Clovis Riley Scholarship Foundation in Sherman, Texas.

The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "Send Condolences" link. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.