William A. Riddley, Jr.

William A. Riddley Jr. was born March 14, 1930 in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of Emma L. (Scott) and William Riddley Sr. He passed away Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the V.A. Hospital in Des Moines.

William (Bill) enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1953, and returned to Rock Island. He subsequently married Janice Wolder, and they moved to Des Moines. He was a hard-working man who was employed by Breiholz General Construction Co. as well as the Wakonda Club, while still working side jobs to support his growing family. In 1968, he struck out on his own and founded Riddley Construction Company. During the winter months he engaged in snow removal for businesses, as well as voluntarily for his neighbors. He became a member of the Black Entrepreneurs, where he received an award for his work. At one time his company was the 3rd largest minority contractor in Iowa.

During his life he was an active member of North Star Lodge #2 F and A.M. of the the Masons where he once served as Worshipful Master. He was also a member of the Zeid Temple #90 of the Shriners. He served as a Member of the Trustee Board of Corinthian Baptist Church. After moving to Columbus, Ohio, he worked for the Columbus Museum of Art as a Security Guard and received a certificate of appreciation for his many years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emma L. Johnson and William Riddley Sr., his stepfather Elder George Johnson, his aunts Johnella Easter and Estelle Hurte, his sister Marie E. Trice, niece Pam Canady, and nephew Bruce Trice.

He is survived by former wife Janice Riddley, daughters Carla Wolfe (Tom), Cathleen Riddley (Mike McShea) and Krista Riddley (Wayne Dunbar), four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, brother George E. Johnson Jr., nieces Sharon Martin and Carolyn Trice, and nephew Calvin “Dee Dee” Trice.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday November 28, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm Saturday, November 29, 2014, also at the funeral home, with burial at Glendale Cemetery to follow.
Contributions can be made in memory of William Riddley to The Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp , by phone at 1.800.272.3900 or by mail to:
Alzheimer's Association
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, DC 20090-6011

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com .

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