William “Wesley” Robinson Riley of Teeswater, passed away with family by his side, at Braemar Retirement Centre, on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, 2 days shy of his 87th birthday.
Beloved husband of Gladys “Lorraine” Riley (née Pearce) for 65 years.
Dear father of Steven and Paula Riley, Ken and Susan Riley, Kevin and Sandra Riley, David Riley and Michelle and Terry Schiestel.
Missed by 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren,
Fondly remembered by his siblings, Gladys Netzke, Grace Riley and Don Drysdale, Winston Riley and Joan Wilhelm, Tom and Karen Riley and in-laws, Keitha Riley, Bill and Elaine Pearce and Bob and Evelyn Pearce, along with several nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Irene (née Abell) Riley, sister Norene Riley-Kirkham and Walter Kirkham, brother Francis Riley, and in-laws, Pat Netzke, Madeline Riley, Lois and Bruce McFadden and June Pearce.
Wes was born on March 26th, 1939 in Brant Township, and was the middle child having 3 older sisters, Gladys, Grace and Norene and 3 younger brothers, Francis, Winston and Tom. Wes attended Johnson Corner School, a one-room schoolhouse near Walkerton and played Goal for the Walkerton Junior Farmer’s Hockey Team.
He married his longtime sweetheart Lorraine Pearce on September 10th, 1960. They celebrated 65 years of marriage in 2025. Together they raised their family of 4 sons and 1 daughter, Steven, Ken, Kevin, David and Michelle.
Wes tried his hand at many jobs, being employed at Bogdon and Gross in Walkerton, Co-op Store in Teeswater and Canada Packers in Walkerton, Road Superintendent for Brant Township and operated his own dump truck and snow plough for Brant Township, just to name a few.
Wes found his true calling when he began work with Sandy Contracting Company Limited in Goderich, where he worked for 17 years. Wes thoroughly enjoyed his work there, even being away from home for an entire week at times.
In 1979, Wes purchased Sandy Contracting Company and started his own company, Wesley Riley Contracting Company Limited. The company grew over the years, purchasing 2 gravel pits on Concession 4 of Culross Township.
Wes and Lorraine purchased their first home in 1965, eventually building two homes on the same street. In their spare time, Wes and Lorraine travelled across Canada from coast to coast. Their trip to Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii was the “trip of a lifetime”.
Over the years, the couple hosted exchange students from New Zealand and Iceland, enjoyed snowmobiling, visiting with friends and “talking shop”.
“Work, Work, Work” was his motto, sometimes 16-18 hours a day. He continued working those long days until illness took him away from his family and the job he loved.
Visitation took place at the Tiffin Funeral Home, Teeswater, on Sunday, March 29th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., where the funeral service was conducted on Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Bonnie Mair officiating.
Interment Culross-Teeswater Cemetery.
Reception followed at the Teeswater-Culross Community Centre.
Memorial donations to the Teeswater Medical Centre or the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Portrait and memorial online at www.tiffinfuneralhome.ca.
