William O. Riley

William O. Riley, 95, retired steel executive, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 5, 2016. Bill was preceded in death by his former wives, Lynn Lyle Riley and Alice Summerlin Riley. He was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Nancy Pattillo Riley, whom he thought of as a daughter. He is survived by his two sons, William, Jr., and John and his wife Sheila; four grandchildren, Bob (Lisa) Riley, Sally Riley, David (Angie) Riley and Heather (Chris) Riley; and five great grandchildren, Brooke Riley, Emilee Riley, Brett Riley, Alex Riley and Marina Riley. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Margie Riley and Jean Riley, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill spent his entire career with Atlantic Steel Company and retired while serving as President and Chief Executive Officer. Following his retirement, he continued his association with the company as a consultant and member of the Board of Directors.

During his employment with the company, Bill attended evening school at the Georgia Institute of Technology studying industrial engineering. He was subsequently appointed Chief Industrial Engineer for Atlantic Steel, a position he held for several years. Bill was a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Emory University and earned his L.L.B. from Atlanta Law School.

Among his other activities, Bill served as a director of the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Georgia Freight Bureau, and Vice President and director of The Georgia State Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Board at Wesley Woods, United Way, Junior Achievement, Better Business Bureau, The Georgia Fund for Education, and The Salvation Army. He also served on the Advisory Board of Visitors at Emory University, the Advisory Board at the Good Samaritan Health Center and the Georgia Tech National Advisory Board. Bill served on the Board of Trustees for Reinhardt for ten years.

Bill was past president of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Engineers, Brookwood Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Atlanta. He was a Life Member and past president of the Capital City Club.

Bill was a member of Northside United Methodist Church since 1952, where he taught Sunday School, served on the Board of Trustees, and was past chairman of the Church Council. For many years, he and Alice worked as a team for Pastoral Care visiting the sick and delivering flowers to members hospitalized or unable to attend church.

The family will receive visitors from 4 – 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2016, at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, Sandy Springs, GA, 30328. A private burial will be held for the immediate family at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, GA. A memorial service will be held at Northside United Methodist Church at 2799 Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30305 at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 2016, with a reception following at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Northside United Methodist Church or The Good Samaritan Health Center in memory of Bill.