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Waldemar Riley Obituary
Wally served in World War II and Korea, earning the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts. He organized the first Army Reserve unit in Williamsburg in 1957. He graduated from William & Mary in 1956 as a member of the Order of the White Jackets. He was the first swimmer to get a varsity letter for swimming when the team became a varsity sport in 1951. He was an assistant varsity swim coach at the college for 15 years and later continued as the business manager for the team. His career was as an agent with New York Life.
Among his many community activities, Wally helped organize swim teams at the old James Blair High, Lafayette High and Walsingham Academy. He organized and coached the Kingspoint team, and was active in AAU swimming. He was chairman of the Williamsburg Blood Mobile program for 5 years during the Vietnam War and served on the Red Cross board. Through the W&M Cancer Swim events he established and organized, he had raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. He was a past commander of VFW Post 4639; organized a Boy Scout Troop at Eastern State Hospital in 1960; served on Board of Recreation for the city and the county; was president of the James City County Chamber of Commerce (1963-64) before it merged with Williamsburg; was a past commander of the American Legion and the VFW; and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. at Crosswalk Community Church, 7575 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, with a reception following at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Kiwanis Foundation of Williamsburg, P.O. Box 1265, Williamsburg VA 23187; or William & Mary Cancer Swim, Attn: Matt Crispino, P.O. Box 399, Williamsburg VA 23187. Online condolences may be offered at www.bucktroutfuneralhome.net.
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Memories and Condolences
for Waldemar Riley
February 24, 2013
Wally was a great guy! I recall him coming into Pete's Olde Towne Pizza 20 years ago, and being a friendly customer and a super salesman. I've still got the insurance policies and he was always available to answer my questions. I know you all will miss him. My condolences, Mary
Carson Barnes
February 17, 2013
A loyal W&M Alumnus and unforgettable friend. Described in my 2011 Memoir, page 148 "At Random @ W&M". Well done Wally! "Carsh"
Bob and Betty Squatriglia
February 17, 2013
Our condolences to the Riley family.
I knew Wally as a fellow alumnus and as an officer under his command in the 36th Arty. Bn. He was a great community leader and a patriot.There is much silent testimony to his presence in Williamsburg and the College.He will be missed.
.
Drew Daniele
February 16, 2013
Mark and Kevin, my condolences to you and your family. I swam for Keith Havens, Dudley, and Wally in the late 80s'. He made road trips memorable with his legendary stories. The team loved him, and those camouflage shorts, with pipe in hand, on the pool deck.
A wonderful man who will never be forgotten.
Drew Daniele '87
February 14, 2013
Mark, Your Dad, like mine, loomed LARGE in our lives! I miss my Dad to this day, but am much better person for all the life lessons he taught. My Prayers are with you and your family. Remember all the GREAT stuff! LOVE, fellow WA - Clair McNelis Folkes
Robert & Sharon Southard
February 13, 2013
Our deepest condolences to the Riley Family. Wally was a good man who helped many people; what better legacy can a man leave!...
Andrew Kokoruda
February 11, 2013
Wally was one of those people that made Williamsburg a special place to live. I always made it a habit to engage him in conversation when he visited us at Ace Hardware as his conversation was always engaging. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family as you mourn the passing of this very special man.
Louis Najera W&M '91
February 11, 2013
Wally, you were larger than life Tribe Freshman year; your spirit and love were evident thereafter. Thank you for your support of the team all these years and the lives you touched. It was an honor to know you.
Doug White
February 11, 2013
"Now listen up..." as Wally would always say when he wanted to make an announcement at Kiwanis. Great man, wonderful sense of humor, immense compassion, and always gave 1000% to any Kiwanis project he was involved with. He will be greatly missed.
Randy Brown
February 11, 2013
Mark,Kevin and the rest of the Family I was so sorry to find out about the passing of your Father/PopPop/Wally my thoughts are with all of you. Let the accomplishments of his endeavers provide confort in the days ahead.
Jack Walklet
February 11, 2013
In the 1960's, Wally convinced kids to join a team, to show up early for swimming practices on cold mornings at a hotel pool, and then to stay dedicated despite their exhaustion and his regularly bellowed insults, puns, and analogies. Not one child ever failed to register his challenges or his encouragement. In time, his reputation attracted kids who couldn't swim and they became fish, all with nicknames.
He negotiated with that same hotel to host Greater Peninsula Swimming Association summer meets at their pool. Those weekly meets, usually during the late afternoon, effectively shut down the pool to tourists during peak summer months… for five years. The meets turned into festivals, with banners around and over the pool and big crowds, including tourists, filling every possible vantage point. Wally Riley was the pipe-smoking, tanned, shirtless guy in Bermuda shorts at the center of it all, dodging sideline wooden benches and strategizing or whispering in the ears of each local swimmer as they walked past him on their way to the racing blocks. Those brief conferences shaved performance times and kept the team undefeated, but the biggest wins were in the self-confidence that “Captain Riley” ultimately sparked in each of his charges.
Anybody who knew Wally Riley was lucky. Luckier still are those who were on the receiving end of his pranks, his generosity, and his ability to get things done …when and how they needed to get done. We will never forget him.
To Mark, Kevin, and all of the Riley clan, we mourn with you and wish you daily, infinite good memories and connections to your great dad/patriarch.
Allison Jeffrey
February 10, 2013
Dear Kevin, Mark, Mimi and Carole,
I secretly felt that as long as Captain Riley was around I had another parent standing by. I used to run into him coincidentally almost every time I visited Williamsburg following my parents' deaths in 2003 and 5 and I felt from him the same infectious warmth, familarity and affection that I had enjoyed during the years I was on the Motorhouse Swim Team. Wally was the only person I know who could make merciless teasing feel like a loving embrace (and a humorous one too). Losing him now and having to miss being with you at the funeral is almost unbearably poignant.
Please know that you and Wally are tenderly in my thoughts.
I hope it's helpful to know how many former young swimmers grieve and are grateful with you for the man who taught us the value of sportsmanship, endurance, humor and the greatness of working together for a common goal. He shaped us in ways that we utilize every day and we will never forget him.
Love,
Allison
Keith Havens
February 10, 2013
Our sympathies to Mark, Kevin, and all the Riley family. Wally was an inspiration to all of us, and could always make us laugh. We will miss him
Keith and Sue Havens
John Redding
February 10, 2013
An icon has gone on to bring cheer, laughter and good will to the next world. Wally always made me and others in his presence feel welcome, and part of something bigger. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Alice & Joe Davis
February 9, 2013
We will miss Walley and his fine sense of humor.
james cox
February 9, 2013
mark, kevin and family, my condolences go out to you, wally was a great friend and will be missed
February 8, 2013
We will miss you big guy,who else will give us a hard time and make us laugh at the same time.Joe Scordo and all your friends at Giuseppes.
Percy and Debbie Thomas
February 8, 2013
Our condolences are with you during this difficult time of your lost.God will continue to watch over you all.
Jean Matthews
February 8, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Riley family, including Carol Copenhaver. Friday lunches will not be the same without Wally's thoughts on politics and life. He will be greatly missed.
Mark Ghorayeb '87
February 8, 2013
My fondest memories of William & Mary revolve around the Swim Team. Dudley gave me a chance as a lane 6 walk-on, and Wally was always there behind the scenes. He was a wonderful spirit to have around, especially on road trips (I'll never forget how he used to wake us up, or how he consistently mangled my surname). I fondly remember many BBQs at his & "Bubbles'" home. I'm not religious or spiritual, but wherever Wally ends up, he will light up the place. I look forward to seeing him again, and hearing more of his war misadventures. Big hug Wally. I love you, big brother.
Lee Deskins
February 8, 2013
Someone you will never forget, a good man with a big heart. My prayers for the family.
Pat. Kidd
February 8, 2013
Dear Kevin and Mark-
I was sorry to hear about your father's passing. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Shin Murphy
February 8, 2013
Wally will be greatly missed by all of us at the Pottery.
Melanie Harris
February 8, 2013
I also enjoyed the conversations I used to have with him at Harristhe Teeter as well!!! He would always make me laugh and smile!!! I nicknamed him 'Grumpy' and he would always have a wise crack for me!
Robbie Child
February 8, 2013
I really enjoyed our daily conversations at the Starbucks in Harris Teeter. I miss you all and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
CAROL TOOLEY-HALL
February 8, 2013
I will always see his smiling face and remember his joking. Walley has been a family friends for many years.I know he will be missed by many but, not forgotten. God bless each of you in the days ahead.
Zenia Latoff
February 8, 2013
Mark and Kevin, May some sweet memories of your father bring some measure of solace to you all now. Please accept my condolences.
Johnalynn Billups
February 7, 2013
Mark and Kevin and all the Riley family I send my condolences on the passing of your father.
Grace Whitehead
February 7, 2013
Mark and Kevin, So sorry to hear about your dad's passing. What a bigger than life man he was and I was blessed to know him. He certainly will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathies.
Leon & Christine Christian
February 7, 2013
It has giving my husband (Leon) & I (Christine) great joy to have known Walley. Leon has known him for over 40 years and I for over 20. We pray that the Lord will dry your tears of sorrow during your lost of your love one. Walley will be missed by us all. God bless the family.
Leon (Boody) & Christine
Maria Fuentes-Sherman
February 7, 2013
There will be many "Listening Up" in heaven. A great friend who will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Jim & Anne Ratkus
February 7, 2013
We will surely miss Wally's humor, generosity, and wise counsel. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
February 7, 2013
I remember yo well. The Motor House swim team. I still tell people about those days. You will be missed. RIP
Stefanie Gettings, Virginia Beach
Rebecca Maloney
February 7, 2013
My heart goes out to all the family members grieving for Wally. He will be missed.
Ashley Riley
February 7, 2013
We all will miss you soooo much Pop Pop. You were the most wonderful person I could ever know. You will never be forgotten. you were loved by all. Always and forever.
Love your grand-daughter Ashley
February 7, 2013
Wally, my swim coach my entire childhood, you were a wonderful man and like a second father to me. I have such fond memories of you. I love you.
Your butterball, Christine Cook
February 7, 2013
Wally, you were one of my favorite people on the planet and meant so much to me growing up. You were a second father to me and I love you very much. You will be so missed.
Your butterball. Christine Cook
Scott Zimmerman
February 7, 2013
Wally, you always made us smile. you always cared about others. your heart was always full. We will miss you kind sir but your legacy will always be there.
Missy Zimmerman
February 7, 2013
Wally was a friend whose good humor and kind heart will always be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you, his loved ones, that he had to leave behind on this next step of his journey. God bless.
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