Willie B. Riser

Willie B. Brown entered the world on June 21, 1942 as the youngest of five daughters born to Wilmon and Beatrice Brown.
As a child, Willie B. attended Garden Valley Baptist Church with her family. She was educated in the Caldwell Parish school system of Columbia, Louisiana, and was a 1960 graduate of the then segregated Union Central High School in Brownville.
After marrying John Henry Riser, Jr. on February 10, 1961, Willie B. (also called "Bea" for short) relocated with him as he sought better opportunities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, they built a life for over 40 years. John and Bea welcomed six children to the fold: Sandra, Eric, Felisa, Shaunté, LaTisha, and Angela.
Willie B. devoted her life to her family. Her home was filled with framed photos of her family, her parents and sisters, her in-laws, and others she held dear. If one of the children won a trophy, no matter how small, it was displayed proudly on the TV stand. Holiday gatherings at the Riser house were a must for her ever-growing family. The Thanksgiving "Whose-Dressing-Tastes-the-Best" contest between John and Willie B. was a highlight every year.
Willie B. was both generous and talented--babysitting and sewing for family and friends, and sharing vegetables from her garden with her 22nd Street neighbors. If someone offered to pay her, she refused. If they insisted, she would find a way to pay it forward elsewhere.
The Risers were longtime members of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee, and later the Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Grayson, Louisiana. Over the years, John served as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Trustee, and Pastor. Willie B., on the other hand, was content to simply hear God's Word and put it into practice in her personal life.
Most people would describe Willie B. as shy and reserved. Within her family however, she was known for her sense of humor. She loved to laugh, crack jokes and catch people off guard with her witty comebacks. In 2005, John and Willie B. happily returned home to Louisiana to live out their years in the quiet community where it all began. She enjoyed reuniting with old classmates, solving her puzzle books, taking an occasional drive to Monroe for lunch, and chatting on the phone with her sister Dorothy.
John preceded her in death in 2015, after 53 years of marriage. In his absence, her family wrapped her in their loving arms to care for her in her remaining years.
On June 19, 2023, Willie B. Riser peacefully transitioned from an earthly life well-lived to an eternal life well-deserved.
She leaves an 80-year legacy of love and laughter to her 6 children, 15 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, sons-in law Kevin Lewis, Leon Williams, Jr. and Eric Jones, Jr., daughter-in-law Valerie, sister Dorothy Yearby, sister-in-law Viola "Vi" Hawkins, and countless nieces, nephews and friends.
GRANDCHILDREN: Resha Riser, Stephanie Stuart, Allen Stuart, Kevin "KJ" Lewis, Amara Williams, Asante "Jah" Riser, Arykah Jones, Kierah Jones, Keenan Lewis, Nahvi Williams, Trenten Jones, Mikal Riser, Beatrice "Bebe" Riser, Kwame Jones, and Henry Riser
GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Austin Riser, Abzydi "Abby" Stuart, and Zariah Stuart
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Willie B. Riser, please visit our floral store.