William “Bill” Alfred Riley, age 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, Fredericksburg, Va., of natural causes.
Bill was born on November 21, 1939, to Catherine (Patneaude) Riley and Harold E. Riley Sr. in Vergennes, Vt. His family eventually moved to Burlington, Vt., where he attended St. Joseph Elementary School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1957. After graduating, he honorably served in the U.S. Air Force.
Bill was a hard worker his entire life; he began working side by side with his father in the construction business at a very young age. He eventually worked for Coyne Laundry as a route salesman/truck driver for more than 20 years. Bill was also a self-employed handyman. Bill then went on to work at IBM for the next 20 years. While working third shift at IBM, Bill owned and operated Grampy’s Old Fashioned Candy Store in the Burlington Square Mall, where he met his future second wife, Vivien Brehaut, who was also operating a business in the mall. They were married June 2, 1990, in Shelburne, Vt., honeymooning in Ireland. They decided to venture into a business together. Thus, Giraf’s in Shelburne was born, offering floral arrangements, candy and gifts. After owning and operating Giraf’s for nearly 20 years, Bill and Vivien eventually retired and moved to Fredericksburg, Va.
Bill was an avid sports fan, specifically of the New York Yankees. Also, a member of the Vermont Lake Monsters Third Base Club — just an arm’s length away from the beer tap. Bill loved playing cards, telling stories, bowling, playing pool, softball league, deer camp with the Boucher family and chasing balloons with “Jack.” Bill was also involved with Golden Gloves as a fighter and trainer. He was a fourth-degree Knights of Columbus member and a Burlington Elks Lodge and American Legion member. When Bill moved to Fredericksburg, he took an active role in the Virginia Heritage HOA and met many people through those events. He played poker and bridge as often as he could and excelled at both. He also enjoyed watching women’s college basketball and playing sudoku. As Bill neared the end, his body was weak, but his mind was still very sharp.
Bill was predeceased by his daughter Shelly Riley; his parents, Harold and Catherine Riley; his brother Harold (Stuffy) and sister-in-law Jane (Cross) Riley; and his brother-in-law Gordon Gilbert.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Vivien Brehaut-Riley; his son, William Riley, and his partner, Michele Fay; his daughter Brenda Riley; Jessica (Stephen) Stoops and Mark Ginsburg; his sister Margaret (Peg) Gilbert; his grandchildren: Alan (Ashley) Burnett; Angelina Pommerencke-Riley; Mark Stoops; Marissa (Blake) Pinello; Jason Shappy and his partner, Trinda Hibbard; Shona (Tom) Bruno and Jesse Shappy; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Bill is also survived by his former wife, Sandra (Kirby) Riley; a special family member, Shannon May; and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Stephen Stoops for all the care he provided Bill during this past year.
A Catholic mass will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, 11 a.m., at Christ the King Church, 136 Locust Street, Burlington, Vt.; followed by an interment at New Mount Calvary Cemetery, 76 Plattsburg Ave.
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2025.