John Riley Wensley

Riley attended local Longview schools until going to college at Baylor University in Waco Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree on May 27, 1960. Following graduation, Riley joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Lieutenant with the Pacific fleet, serving aboard a variety of destroyers.

Following an honorable discharge from the US Navy Riley pursued a career as a geologist in the petroleum industry, working with Dresser Industries, Milchem, Baker Oil Tools, and a variety of oilfield service companies over the years. His first assignment for Dresser was to Nigeria, Africa. During a reassignment from Nigeria, he journeyed through London, England where he met Sandy Ball. The couple married in September 1968 and began life overseas in Angola, Portuguese West Africa. For 15 years the couple lived in a variety of countries – Africa, Norway, Bahrain, Dubai, Venezuela and England, while visiting many more. Their beloved daughter, Lisa Dawn was born in Norwich, Norfolk in England in 1976.

Riley passed on May 27, 2012. Riley is survived by his daughter, Lisa Wensley in Las Vegas, Nevada; his sister, Gay Wall and his brother-in-law Jack Wall, in Dallas, Texas, and his best friend, Sandy Wensley in Las Vegas, NV. He also has a living Aunt Dorothy Bandy in Temple, Texas, as well as a first cousin, David M. Bandy of Temple, Texas. For those of us who love him, we believe that he has embarked on yet another new journey, one of indescribable joy, peace and happiness. He will be much missed as a father, brother, and friend.

Fair winds and following seas, Lieutenant!