The Rev. Philip M. Riley Sr.

Rev. Riley is predeceased by his wife, Jean Meyer Riley of Georgetown, Texas; his first wife, Elizabeth Gaines Riley of Nixon, Texas; and his three sisters, Elizabeth Riley Lundblad of Georgetown, Texas, Dr. Ruth Riley Swords of Fort Worth, Texas, and Josephine Riley Ramey of Fort Worth, Texas.

He is survived by his children, Mary Riley of Austin, Texas, Wendy Riley Williams of New York City, New York, Genie Riley Essenmacher and husband Sterling Essenmacher of Cypress, Texas, and Philip M. Riley, Jr., and wife Cay Riley of Austin, Texas; stepdaughter Jeanne Mann of Georgetown, Texas; stepdaughter Holly Decherd and husband Dr. Jonathan Decherd of Georgetown, Texas; stepson Rodney Howell of Yarmouth, Maine; grandchildren Jennifer Weintraub, Stuart Williams, Lienna Dickens, Noelle Tavanez, and Sarah Riley; five great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Rev. Riley was born August 26, 1914, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Dr. Philip E. Riley and Ruth Love Riley. In 1932 he graduated from Mineral Wells High School and in 1936 he graduated from Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the famous ninety-six-member SMU Marching Band. He worked briefly as a Certified Public Accountant in Dallas, Texas, before deciding to enter the ministry. He attended Duke Divinity School and later graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York City where he earned the Master of Divinity degree in 1941. Rev. Riley worked for a number of years with the Home Missions Council of North America, serving Native American youth. During this time he met and married his first wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Gaines, who would serve by his side with distinction throughout her lifetime until her death in 1980. After he entered parish ministry, Rev. and Mrs. Riley and their four children traveled to numerous pastorates in the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Issues of racial equality and social justice were always a primary focus of his ministry.

In 1982 Rev. Riley retired and moved to Georgetown, Texas, where he met and married Jean Meyer Howell. The couple enjoyed a long and fulfilling time together, including much travel and involvement in community activities. He was especially active at the First United Methodist Church where he served on staff and was honored as Pastor Emeritus in 1992. He helped establish Stephen Ministry at that congregation, an initiative which equips individuals for Christian ministry in caregiving and spiritual growth.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be directed to a favorite charity or to the First United Methodist Church.

The Riley family wishes to thank Sandy Gonzalez and Deborah Williams for the extraordinary care they provided to both Jean and Philip Riley in their final years.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.