Edward Lear Riley, 85, of Hillsboro, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Born at Arbovale, he was a son of the late June W. and Ruth Flynn Riley.
Ed was a graduate of Green Bank High School. He graduated from Potomac State College with a degree in Agriculture and from West Virginia University with a BS degree in Agriculture Specialty Animal Science.
From January 1964 to January 1966, he served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was discharged as First Lieutenant.
On March 21, 1964, he married Charlotta Burnside, of Morgantown, and worked for WVU Extension Service at Berkley Springs, Morgan County, for three years.
A job as sanitarian became available in Pocahontas County, which he took in 1969 as a temporary position, until he found something better so he could return to Pocahontas County to farm. He enjoyed the job so much that the temporary job lasted 35 years. He retired in December 2004.
Ed was appointed to the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority in 1989 and served as Chairman for more than 30 years. He was selected as West Virginia Association of Solid Waste Authorities’ Volunteer of the year in West Virginia in 2015.
He was a member of the West Virginia Farm Bureau from 1967 to the present time. He started farming in 1970 while working full-time off the farm. After retiring in 2004, he started farming full-time.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Charlotta Lee Burnside Riley; daughter, Sara Boothe (Oka), of Princeton; son, Joseph W. Riley (Sarah), of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Kayla Noelle Dispanet (Chris) and James Joseph Riley (Leah), all of Matthias, Silas Flynn Riley and Hazel Joanna Riley, both of Morgantown; great-grandson, Benson James Riley; sister, Donna Jean Depue (Samuel), of Athens.
Funeral service was held Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Marvin Chapel United Methodist Church, with Pastor Pete Scott officiating.
Burial was in Arbovale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Marvin Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Susan Arbogast, P.O. Box 164 Hillsboro WV 24946.
Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Arbovale is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
