William Alan Riley

DALEVILLE…Mr. William Alan Riley, a resident of Daleville, died early Thursday evening, July 17, 2025, at his home. He was 49.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Matt Sasser officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Riley was a native of Dothan, Alabama, where he graduated from Dothan High School in the class of 1993. He spent much of his life in and around the place he called home, building a legacy of craftsmanship, kindness, and deep faith. For years, he owned and operated Aquariums by Will, a business that reflected both his entrepreneurial spirit and his love for nature. He took great pride in his work, and anyone who ever stepped into his shop knew they were dealing with someone who truly cared about what he was doing.

Beyond work, Will was a man of many passions. He had a true talent for woodworking—he could take a simple piece of wood and turn it into something beautiful and lasting. He was most at peace when he was outdoors, soaking up the sunlight and the fresh air, especially down by the river. The calm of the water and the quiet moments in nature brought him joy and reminded him of God’s creation.

More than anything, Will loved his family. He was a devoted grandfather who lit up when spending time with his grandsons, teaching them how to fix things, showing them how to build, sharing life lessons, and patiently answering every curious question they asked. Watching them grow and guiding them with love gave him a deep sense of purpose.

His faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of everything he did. It was evident in the way he lived, the way he treated others, and the way he faced both the good and hard times. That strength carried him through life’s toughest moments, including the heartbreaking loss of his son, Jacob Wade Smith, in 2024. Though that pain never left him, Will remained steadfast in his faith and continued to pour love into those around him.

Will Riley will be remembered not just for the things he did, but for the way he made people feel—welcomed, valued, and cared for, especially his loving wife, whom he adored, Rosie.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Rosie Serna, Daleville; his children, Kaylin Cureton (Kyle), Sable Riley, all of Dothan, Corporal United States Marine Corps, Anthony Nash (Anya), San Diego, California, Isabell Nash, Daleville, and Krista Bogert, Enterprise; his mother, Ellice Lord (Larry), Dothan; three sisters, Maggie Lord, Dothan, Mindy Terryn (Raymond), Miami, Florida, and Lanice Riley, Jacksonville, Florida; step-sister, Amy Lord, Dothan; six grandchildren, Carson Alan Cureton, Carter Cureton, Liam Wood, Ellis Riley, Marcus Nash, and Kynleigh Cureton; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.