He loved God, his family, the Navy, UTEP and tennis.
With his cheerful smile and outgoing personality, he made friends wherever he went. No matter where we traveled, he ran into someone he knew.
Even as his body grew weaker, his sense of humor remained strong. Bad jokes, puns, and rhymes will always remind us of our Dad. He was so appreciative of anything we did for him and expressed that appreciation for as long as he was able.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy. After earning his commission through the NROTC, he served as a shipboard engineering officer on the USS Alvin C. Cockrell (DE-366). Later, courtesy of the G. I Bill, he earned a doctorate in Chemistry at the University of Louisville. He was a Blue and Gold Officer for over 50 years, helping hundreds of young men and women from El Paso gain admission to the U.S. Naval Academy.
After graduation he went to work for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas. It was there that he liked to say he “lost his independence on Independence Day” when he met his future wife, Margaret, at a 4th of July picnic.
In 1962 he became the first Hispanic tenure track faculty member hired at UTEP, where he taught Chemistry for almost 30 years. During his time at UTEP he served as Associate Dean of the Graduate School and was President of the Faculty Senate in 1968 and 1992. Along with his wife Margaret, he attended every Miner football and basketball game until his health no longer allowed him to do so.
In 1980 he returned to active duty to chair the U.S. Naval Academy’s Chemistry Department, where he remained for five years. He was also the Officer Rep. for the Naval Academy Varsity tennis team, an assignment that brought him great joy.
He was an avid tennis player. Even in his late 80s he played tennis every Friday morning with a wonderful group of friends. He was an active member of the U.S. Tennis Association. In 2006 he became the first Hispanic elected to the National USTA Board of Directors, and had the opportunity to attend the U.S. Open for many years. He was inducted into the USTA Southwest Hall of Fame in 2007, and the El Paso Senior Games Hall of Fame in 2018.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry D. and Clara V. Rivera, his sister Mary Ellen and his brothers Frankie and Larry.
He is survived by Margaret- his wife of 67 years, and his children, Kathleen Cooke, Julie Rivera, Amy Henderson (John), Bill Rivera, Jr. (Delia), Margaret Neve (Nick), 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Also left to mourn his passing are his sisters Alice, Tessie, Peggy and Rosie, his brother-in-law Ray, and many nieces and nephews.
He packed a lot of life into his 94 years. We were lucky to have him for as long as we did. He will be missed more than words can say, but he is at peace now in God’s loving arms.
Visitation will be on Monday, June 16, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, TX 79912.
Mass will be on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1118 N. Mesa St., El Paso, TX 79902. Graveside Service will follow at 11:00 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX 79906.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or the Southwest Tennis Foundation.
