Obituary of Bob Riley

Graveside services for Bob Riley, 91, of Abernathy, TX, will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, April 17, 2021, in the Abernathy Cemetery with Rev. Damon Pearce and Rev. Joel Perez officiating. The family will gather to receive friends at Abell Funeral Home, from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm, Friday, April 16, 2021. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. Mr. Riley died at his home in Abernathy, Wednesday, April 14, 2021. He was born December 20, 1929 in Hale County, TX, to Wayne T. and Billy (Matejowsky) Riley. He graduated from Abernathy High School in 1947. Bob married Gwen Simpson, November 12, 1950 in Clovis, NM. Mr. Riley was a founding member of City Gin in Abernathy and served on the Abernathy ISD School Board for 22 years. The Riley's were selected as Farm Family of the Year in 1986 by the Abernathy Chamber of Commerce. Bob was a life long member of the Abernathy First Baptist Church and farmed in the Abernathy area for 73 years. Mr. Riley bought the first Generation 2, John Deere tractor with an integrated cab from Joe Thompson Implement in 1972. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne T. and Billy Riley, a brother, Bill Riley and his wife Gwen Riley, October 27, 2013. He is survived by a daughter, Sammie Stephenson and husband Gary, 3 sons, Steve Riley and wife Nan, Wayne Riley and wife Tammi and Van Riley and wife Amy all of Abernathy, 9 Grandchildren, Tracy Garcia, Sky Stephenson and wife Katelin, Leslie Kleve and husband Brian, Candice Kimbrough and husband Ramey, Miles Riley, Kinsey Norris and husband Nick, Tate Riley and wife Nikki, Carson Riley and wife Kelby and Madison Hall and husband Eric, 15 great grandchildren, Matt, Raelyn, Jett, Luke, Cody, Abby, Kiley, Alexi, Cale, Kelsey, Ali, Riley, Emy, Wes and Thomas, one sister, Pat Mullins of Lubbock and sister-in-law, Betty Riley of Lubbock. The family suggests memorials be sent to Hospice of Lubbock, 3702 21st Street, Lubbock, TX 79410, Abernathy Ex-Students Asssociation, P. O. Box 1, Abernathy, TX 79311 or First Baptist Church, 411 7th Street, Abernathy, TX 79311 or a favorite charity.