Charles Henry Riley

Charles Henry Riley, 84, went to be with his Lord Friday, January 3, 2025 in Plano, Texas.

Funeral is 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with burial at Bethel Cemetery. Family will receive friends 12-2:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Charles was born July 10, 1940 to Homer Charles and Dorothy Cleo (DeBorde) Riley in Greenwood, Texas. Charles graduated from Slidell High School and attended Decatur Baptist College. He proudly served our country in the United States Air Force, as an Avionic Inertial and Radar Systems Technician. Charles used his talents to work on many aircraft, including Air Force One, and trained others to work on aircraft and radar systems. Charles retired as a Master Sergeant after serving 20 years and traveling the world. After retiring from the United States Air Force, he worked at Poco Graphite for 20 years as a maintenance technician.

His hobbies included a love of farming, working on cars, spending time with family and friends and spoiling his grandchildren.

Charles was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many who will miss him dearly. He faithfully attended church and raised his family to love and serve God. His love for missions was dear to his heart, and evident by his giving and meeting the needs and wants of many missionaries.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Dorothy Riley.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 57 years, Annette Riley of Decatur; his 2 daughters, Saretha Riley of Michigan, and Monica Slimp and husband Johnny of Decatur; 3 grandchildren, Cori Flores and husband David, James Slimp, and Zachary Tipton and wife Mariah; 9 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Travis, Trent, Sara, Kaitlyn, Jeremiah, Josiah, Adalynn, and Raegynn; his brother, Hoyt Riley; extended family members and a host of friends.