William Morton Riney

Jan 21, 1931-Jul 25, 2014

Bill passed away at his home in San Jose, preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda. He was the treasured father of William (Valerie), Karen (deceased), David (Karen), Sherry (John), and Daniel, and revered grandfather of 4 and great-grandfather of 5. He is survived by his siblings, J. Carl, Jr. (Patty), Ann Harris, and Guy and his many nieces, nephews and friends.

Bill was born in Owensboro, KY, the third of four children, to J. Carl and C. Ellen (Wathan) Riney. Tragedy struck their family early, when their much beloved mother died at the tender age of 35. Bill’s sister, Ann, became his surrogate mother and remained one of his heart’s treasures. The two spent time together at boarding school, where Ann assured that Bill was cared for and safe. The children lived in varied settings for a time, until their father remarried, taking Florence as his bride, and the two created a blended family.

Dad left Owensboro at 17 to enter the United States Navy in 1948, and served honorably in the Korean War and beyond. While visiting friends in San Francisco, where he stayed when not at sea, he met a little girl, Karen Lynn, who became enamored with him which earned him a place in Karen’s mother’s heart. Bill and Wanda eventually were introduced, began to date, and fell in love. Wanda learned that Bill had a son, William Paul, from his first marriage, a child they loved and supported and with whom they sadly lost contact. They never failed to keep him in their hearts and include him as a member of our family.

When Sailor Bill was transferred to Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois, they made the decision that Wanda and Karen would join him and they would marry. They formalized their union on April 16th, 1955. Because the Navy required long periods of separation, after nine years of service, Bill made the difficult decision to change branches of service, losing a rank and becoming a sergeant in the United States Air Force, where he spent the rest of his long, distinguished military career, totally 27 years.

Wanda and Bill traveled throughout the US and to Germany as Bill advanced in rank. As his career progressed, so did their family: David Bryan was born in Denver, CO; Sherry Jeanine in Dover, DE, and Daniel Bryce in Mount Clemens, MI. The family spent two four-year tours in Germany, where many of their celebratory customs were developed. The family was separated for only one year of his service, when Bill spent a solo year in Alaska, a hardship for all.

Bill retired as a master sergeant from the Air Force in May 1974 and moved the family to Cupertino where he spent a second career in the aerospace industry, working at Lockheed until his retirement in December 1992. His crowning achievement was to be a member of the team that created the Hubble Space Telescope. When the “Hubble” failed to function in space, Bill was part of the programing team that worked to right its course and functioning, thereby significantly contributing to the Hubble’s many scientific discoveries.

Bill was a natural athlete, playing football early in his life and military career and volleyball throughout his career. He coached volleyball teams, and he refereed volleyball during the military and after his retirement from Lockheed. He and Sherry had season tickets to Stanford women’s volleyball for more than twenty years, and tickets to the upcoming season was his final purchase before his death.

Bill was active in the “Friends of Bill W.” community for 27 years, where he was embraced and with whom he devoted much of his time, energy, love, and support. He touched many lives and created lasting friendships. His death is felt widely and deeply within the fellowship.

Because his military career took him to faraway places, the time he could spend with his Kentucky family was limited. In 1982 he was invited to a Riney family reunion, and he and Sherry attended and were surrounded by hundreds of relatives, connecting and reconnecting with family members whom he and Sherry visited over the years and with whom he remained close for the rest of his life.

Other than family, Bill and Wanda’s greatest joy was travel. While young and working, they managed to take small trips on weekends, with occasional weeklong adventures along California's grand coast and into Oregon's wilds. Eventually they began to cruise and were able to sail many seas and see much of the world, while sharing quality time together, meeting interesting people, having adventures, and making time to relax.

In spring of 2003, Bill anxiously returned a call from his long-separated son, Will, and his fiancée, Valerie. The four decided to meet and celebrated a joyous reunion. Not long thereafter, Will and Val met the rest of the family, instantly integrating into the core family unit. Bill and family endured unimaginable loss when daughter Karen died suddenly and unexpectedly in April 2005. Joy abounded in those years as well, when Will, Sherry, Daniel, and David each were married. Bill was enormously proud of his growing family, and warmly, generously accepted and loved each daughter- and son-in-law and their families.

Sadly, on the eve of a planned cruise in October 2008, Wanda experienced a stroke, which required extended rehabilitation and left her with cognitive limitations. Bill and Wanda continued to spend time together and with the family and had the opportunity to cruise for what was to be their final time, joining Sherry and John on an Alaskan adventure. They sold their first and only home in Cupertino and moved to Chateau Cupertino, a senior living setting, where they made friends and a home for themselves. In June 2012, Wanda had a second stroke after which she required 24-hour care. Bill heroically attempted to be her primary provider, but he and family realized Wanda needed more support, so they moved to Pacific Gardens Extended Care Facility, where they both received exemplary care. Bill continued to say, "She took care of me for more than 50 years. It's my turn to care for her." He did so through her last day, December 22, 2012.

Following the devastating loss of his wife and best friend of 60 years, Bill, supported by his children, made the decision to move to Belmont Village in San Jose, where he and Wanda visited and thought they’d one day live together. He lived there for 16 months, largely independently and joyfully. During those months he grew close with staff members, developing warm connections with many of them.

In September 2013, Bill was diagnosed with pneumonia and treated as an outpatient. He was to go on a cruise with family, but was advised by his doctor to cancel the trip. Bill was then admitted to the hospital due to unremitting pneumonia and was ultimately diagnosed with lung cancer, his third cancer in 27 years. He started radiation therapy, was readmitted with medical complications, resumed radiation while hospitalized, and completed treatment as an outpatient. Initial results were favorable, but the family soon learned that the tumor was not eliminated and Bill was prescribed palliative care. He was hospitalized once again and was discharged to hospice care. In his final weeks, he received loving, tender care from his hospice nurse, Nicole, and the Belmont Village team, who supported our family with grace and concern. On the day he died, Nicole visited and many staff members came to say tearful goodbyes and share their condolences, touching us deeply.

Services for Bill: Sunday, Aug 3: Visitation 11am-1pm, Memorial 1pm, Reception to follow, at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N Winchester Blvd. Family burial service, Monday, Aug 4, 1:30pm, San Joaquin National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to American Cancer Society in Bill’s memory.