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William C Riley passed away peacefully on October 8, 2024, in Bryn Mawr, PA surrounded by his family. He was 80 years old. Born in Glen Ridge, NJ on October 17, 1943, Bill grew up in both Greenwich, CT and Narberth Park, PA. As a young boy he played football for the Little Quakers under the guidance of Bob Levy. Attending Episcopal Academy, he played football, basketball and baseball. During his PG year at The Lawrenceville School, he continued to play football and was an all-state shot-putter. Bill played football his freshman year at Duke University and completed his college degree at the University of Pennsylvania with a BA from the Wharton School of Business while continuing to play varsity football. Bill began his career in advertising in Philadelphia with N. W. Ayer & Son and Boston with Hill Holliday before joining his father’s food brokerage business, the Joseph W. Riley Company in 1973. One of his proudest accomplishments was orchestrating the company’s sponsorship of the “Eagles Fly for Leukemia” fundraisers at Merion Golf Club. Bill raised his family on the Main Line and spent summers on the bay in Ocean City, NJ, his happy place. Bill was the quintessential “girl dad” and loved traveling, gardening, golf, squash and boating. His boats ranged from Hobie Cats to cigarettes to kayaks in later years. He was a loyal friend, humorous storyteller and devoted family man. In 1998, Bill married Hope. Enjoying retirement, they split their time between the Village of Golf, FL, and Ocean City, NJ where they were members of The Country Club of Florida and Merion Golf Club. Bill’s favorite times were those surrounded by family and dining in at “Hope’s Kitchen” with his 10 grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Riley. He is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Dr Hope Riley; children, Tricia (John), Kendy (Jay), Lorin (Patrick) and Casey (Andy); stepdaughters, Holly (Scott) and Tracy; grandchildren, Carson, Paige, Matthew, Cassia, Fern, Keller, Hadley, Clifford, Morgan and William; and brother, Pete. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ocean City Sailing Foundation-http://www.ocnjsailingfoundation.org/

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William C. Riley

October 17, 1943 - October 8, 2024