Weleta "Willie" Riller

Willie was born on May 14, 1939 in Fittstown, Oklahoma to Albert and Bessie (Ford) Mathews.  She had 4 sisters Lucille, Alberta, Juanita, and Oleta (her twin), and a brother Eddie Jo.

The Matthews Family moved to Mountain Home, Idaho in 1942 where Willie met her high school sweetheart and husband of 55 years, Tom Riller.  Tom and Willie married in 1956 before she graduated high school as Tom was serving in the Air Force. 

Tom and Willie have 3 children Steve, Mark, and Julia. They settled in California where they raised their family and made many unforgettable memories.

While living in California, Willie worked full-time as the business manager for Lincoln Mercury in San Jose for 7 years, followed by 12 years at Allison Pontiac and Allison BMW.

She enjoyed spending many weekend-getaways at the family cabin in Clear Lake, fishing, laying out on rafts, boating, and relaxing with family.

After living many years in San Jose and Los Gatos, Tom and Willie moved to Tower Park in Lodi, CA where she worked at Mataga Buick and Rio Vista Ford. Her children loved bringing their families to the house in Lodi on weekends to enjoy time on the boat on the Delta and to hang out with Grammy and Grandpa.

After 40+ years in California, Tom and Willie retired and moved back to Idaho where they spent the remainder of their lives.  They moved directly across the street from her oldest sister Lucille and were welcomed with open arms into the Meridian community. They reconnected with many old friends she grew up with. Willie enjoyed getting involved in all the events happening in her neighborhood and would volunteer to host many gatherings. She loved gardening, decorating her home, socializing, playing bridge and having her cocktail with the neighbors. Her laugh was contagious and she made everyone feel loved and well cared for.  She loved to work hard and stay busy. If you called or stopped by she would tell you she had already cleaned the patio, the windows, watered her garden, emptied the dishwasher, washed a load of clothes and was getting ready to host multiple tables of bridge at her house! 

Willie was a great wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to all. She was grateful and thankful for everything she had and always gave God the credit for her blessed life.

Preceded in death are her parents Albert and Bessie, her husband Tom, her sisters Lucille, Alberta, Oleta (her twin sister) and brother Eddie Joe.  She is survived by her sister Nita Dobson, her 3 children Steve (Sue, daughter Mandi (TJ), Mark, (Sonia) and Julia, and her 5 grandchildren Mason, Renee, Kevin, Rex, and Faith and several nieces and nephews and extended family.

  Willie passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving children at her side.   

A service for Willie will be held at The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery on Friday October 5th, 2018 at 9:45 AM followed by a Celebration of Life reception at the James Place Clubhouse 2299 Bent Grass Rd.  At 11:15 AM.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Mary Jo, Natalie, Linda, KK, Patti, Joan, Sue, the entire Pecchenino family, and many of her cherished friends for their love and kindness during her final days.  We would also like to thank the wonderful folks at Saint Alphonsus Hospice; Tara, Kathy, and Troy for the gentle loving support they provided. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Alphonsus Home Health and Hospice.