Loyd Wayne Riley

Loyd was born on January 13, 1932, in Erath County to Clint and Winnie (Lane) Riley. He grew up in Lingleville where he attended public schools and beginning in 1948, he served in the National Guard. Later, he earned numerous commendations for his overseas duty during the Korean Conflict, where he served as a tank driver in the US Army’s 40th Infantry Division, earning the final rank of Sergeant. After returning from Korea, he worked for Convair (General Dynamics) where he helped assemble the first supersonic jet bomber, the B-58. He later met and married Beverly Ann Currier on November 3, 1956, in Stephenville. After living in Fort Worth for about a year, the couple returned to Stephenville, where he lived the rest of his life. He began working for the Texas Highway Department in 1957 in the maintenance division and worked there until his retirement in 1987. After retiring, he did contract work for various ranchers in Erath County. In 2002, he and Ann purchased land north of Stephenville, where he and his oldest sons built a new home. He enjoyed auto mechanics, gardening, sitting outside in the fresh air, and could often be seen taking drives around in his classic 1964 Chevrolet pickup that he had rebuilt and restored himself.

Loyd is survived by his wife, Ann; son Buddy and wife Cynthia of San Antonio, son James and wife Connie of Lingleville, son Gene and wife Cathy of Huckaby, son Randall of Austin, and daughter Gail of Fort Worth. He is also survived by three grandchildren (Crissy Duncan, Chelsea Ewing and Elizabeth Riley) and one great granddaughter (Charlotte Ewing) as well as one sister (Edna Fielden) of Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (C.O. Jr. and Tommie), two sisters (Barbara June Riley and Elaine Woodley).