Roger Donald Riley, born Aug. 29, 1926, passed away on Jan. 18, 2026 at the age of 99. Don grew up in Waverly, the only child of Frank and Lucile Riley. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1944.

Don enlisted in the US Navy in the summer of 1944 and attended Naval Aviation training at Central College in Fayette, Mo. Don served in the Navy for just slightly less than eight years.

Don married Wilma Jean Orear Jan. 12, 1951 and after his discharge from the Navy they settled in Waverly.

He worked at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, then worked with his father at Frank Riley and Son Hardware and Grocery and in 1958 took on the additional job of Assistant Rural Letter Carrier. He subsequently became the full time Rural Carrier and in 1985 was appointed Postmaster of Waverly.

Don was a member of the Waverly JC’s, Waverly City Council, a scoutmaster; a 4-H leader, a member of the R-10 school board during the difficult years of consolidation; was one of the organizers of the Waverly Swim Club and the Waverly Senior Citizen Housing Authority; and he served on the administrative board of the Waverly UMC.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Wilma Jean Riley, just eight months ago.

He is survived by five children: Patricia Fischbeck (Robert), Diane Erdman (Russ), Bradford Riley, Jennifer Riley, and Melissa Hinz (Brad); 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family held a celebration of Don’s life on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Waverly UMC fellowship hall. Memorials should be directed to the Waverly United Methodist Church, 116 W Kelling Ave., Waverly, MO 64096