Wilburn Marshall Riley

Wilburn Marshall Riley, 102, passed away on April 18, 2015, in Roswell. He was born on October 28, 1912, in Coleman, Oklahoma, to Flora Channel Riley and Luther Edward Riley, their first born son. In 1934, Wilburn married Stella Marie Long. They celebrated 70 years together until she passed in 2005. Having had seven children, their first two were twin boys, who died in infancy. Wilburn left Oklahoma in 1942, moving to Chula Vista, California. After the war, he joined the Union of Operating Engineers, local #12, retiring after 30 years. In 1977, they moved to Roswell. Wilburn missed Stella after her passing. They loved playing games of all kinds, together or with family and friends. He bought a white 1995 Cadillac in 2008 when he was 95 and drove until he was 98 when his vision dimmed. Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Stella; a son, James; eight siblings and six-half siblings. Surviving Wilburn are four daughters: Florene Riley of Roswell, Eva Levell Davis, of Arkansas, Donna Jean Marrow (Wilburn, Buster) of Roswell; Glenda Marie Leas (Dennis) of East Peoria, Illinois; two half-brothers: Herman Riley of Oklahoma and Larry Riley (Toi) of Thailand; two half-sisters: Glenda Dyer and Barbara Combs (Donnie) of Oklahoma. Also surviving Wilburn are 20 grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; 29 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation is scheduled from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 in the Anderson Bethany Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2015, in the Anderson Bethany Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Memory Lawn. Ken Davis will officiate. Pallbearers are Billy Altstatt, Darrell Williams, Desmond Williams, Jimmy Davis, Danny Davis and Wayne Gaumond. Honorary pallbearers are James Riley Jr, David Gaumond, Dave Gaumond Jr, Tyler Gaumond, Danny Davis Jr, Paul Davis, Johnny Davis, Gene McBroom, Ray Gene Harris, Zachary Harris, Ezekiel Harris, Zane Harris, Sam Riley, Curtis Olivier, Mike Olivier, Eric Busby, Jason Busby, Jesse Busby, Joah Williams, Steven Williams and A. J. McBroom. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with Wilburn’s family in the online register at andersonbethany.com. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Wilburn Marshall Riley

October 28, 1912 - April 18, 2015