William Bradford Riley

William Bradford Riley, a lifelong resident of Lakewood, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2006 at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver. He was 57. He was the son of Mary Jane Riley Turner of Englewood and the late Dennis Riley. Bill was an accomplished chess player and devoted student of the game. He won the 1968 Colorado Open Chess Championship at age 19 in 1968. His lifelong love of the game was expressed through participation in many chess tournaments and postal chess matches. He also taught chess and formed many lasting relationships over the chessboard. Bill graduated from the University of Colorado in 1972 with a degree in Music Theory. He was a composer and musician, playing the piano, clarinet and oboe. One of the highlights of his undergraduate study was when the Denver Symphony read through his concerto in Mackey Auditorium in Boulder. Later he learned to play the violin and viola and played in several community orchestras throughout his adult life. Bill suffered from the illness of schizophrenia and courageously survived with the help of the Jefferson Center for Mental Health where he had many dear friends. He was such a quiet and gentle soul that when he sat down to play the piano music filled the halls and people were amazed at his talent. He had compassion for others and taught many people at the Jefferson Center to play chess. Bill was a Buddhist and had a group of friends who had that practice in common. In addition to his mother, Mary Jane Turner, he is survived by his long-time dearly beloved companion, Arlene Benson, of Lakewood, a sister, Karen (Ed) Steward of Pennsylvania, a nephew, Hugh (Anna) Riley of Chicago, five nieces, Alice (Mizraim Cordero) Riley of New York, Elizabeth (Michael) Blake of New York, Jennie (Joe) Walsh of Pennsylvania, Ann (Steve) Lobis of Pennsylvania, Laura Steward of Pennsylvania, seven great-nieces and nephews, Ricky Riley, Amélie and Olivia Cordero, Roland Blake, Jonathan and James Walsh and George Lobis. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Riley, Jr. of New York. A Memorial Service will be Monday, 11:00 AM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jefferson Center for Mental Health through the Foothills Foundation, 5265 Vance Street, Arvada, CO 80003.