Charles E. Risley

Charles E. Risley, age 84, passed away on June 18, 2019. Charles was born in St. Clair Shores, Michigan on June 04, 1935, son of the late Frank and Elizabeth Risley. He graduated from Mt. Clemens High School where he met and then married the love of his life Gloria (Witkowski). They wed at St. Louis Catholic Church on July 16, 1955. Together they traveled extensively overseas, (working for USAFTA installing Jupiter Missiles) living in Turkey and Italy. They then moved to Slidell, Louisiana, for eight years, where he attended and graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, before moving back to Michigan and into the home on Lake St. Clair that they bought when they wed in 1955 and remodeled. One very real, but very frightening life changing event was being kidnapped at gunpoint by an escaped convict in Slidell, Louisiana on April 1, 1964, escaping, and living to tell about it every year on April Fool’s Day. He also provided search and rescue help, using CB radios, after hurricane Betsy and Camille in Louisiana. Always helping others, he was the first to pitch in to help fill ‘sand bags’ for his neighbors' homes when the lake levels rose and to lend a hand to anyone in need. Charles retired as an engineer from Chrysler Corporation in 1991and again from BTR in 1996. Chuck spent many years as his wife’s full time caregiver until her death on November 24, 2014. He enjoyed playing bridge with their card club of close friends, going to the casino, and spending time with his family.

Chuck is survived by his three children Cynthia Bechill, Lawrence (Debra) Risley, and Carrie (Dave) Conklin; ten grandchildren Suzanne (Aaron) Hickman, Lynn (Brian) Dujardin, Shannon (Steve) Lyons, Erin (Lance) Laquiere, William (Laura) Bechill IV, Ashley (Sean) Justman, Krissy (Joe) Bush, Michael Risley, Kim Risley, and David Conklin, Jr.; twelve Great Grandchildren: Kyle and Brandon Maxson, Andrew, Lauren, and Kaitlin Kerr, Adam Hickman, Kyleigh and Alaina Dujardin, Billy V, Paul, and Emma Bechill and Laken Laquiere; two brothers Robert (Cindy) Risley and David (Debbie) Risley both of Florida; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends of the bridge club.

Besides his wife Gloria and parents Frank and Elizabeth, Charles was predeceased by his brother Frank Risley of Montana, sister-in-law Marilyn Risley of Pennsylvania, sister-in-law Judith Witkowski, in-laws Ted and Elsa Witkowski, son-in-law William A. Bechill III, and niece Casey Risley of Florida.

Visitation will be held at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038 on Sunday, June 23, 2019 from 2-8 PM, with a funeral service at 7 PM. A graveside service will take place Monday, June 24, 2019 at 10:15 AM at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038. Memorial contributions may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or American Heart Association. Online memories and condolences may be made at www.resurrectionfuneralhome.com