(Oct. 4, 2008)
Ferrel Hopkin Riley, 86, a life-long resident of Burlington, died Saturday, Oct. 4 in an accident while helping to gather cattle on the Big Horn Mountains south of Ten Sleep.
He was born May 5, 1922, at his grandmother Maggie Hopkin’s home in Otto, the son of Michael Clarence and Ethel Mary Hopkin Riley. He grew up in Burlington, graduating from Burlington High School in 1941. He attended the University of Wyoming until the beginning of World War II, when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served in the U.S. Marines for four years in the Pacific.
At war’s end, he again returned to UW, where he met his future wife, Cleo Groves. They were married June 19, 1946, at her family home in Copperton, Utah. They made Burlington their home, where they farmed and ranched for 62 years.
Preceding him in death were his mother and father; a brother, Logan; two sisters, Fern (Loren) Johnson and Mildred (Clair) Lyman.
He is survived by his wife, Cleo of Burlington; a son, Mike of Burlington; a daughter, Michelle Underwood (Bob) of Pleasant Grove, Utah; a sister, Glendean Johnson of Cody; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held at Atwood Family Chapel in Basin on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and a viewing will be held in the Relief Society Room at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Burlington on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Funeral services will be held at the Burlington LDS Church on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m. with Bishop Richard Wardell presiding. Interment will follow the services at the Burlington Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorials will be received at Security State Bank, P.O. Box 531, Basin, WY 82410 with proceeds to go to the Burlington Ambulance Service. Atwood Family Funeral Directors, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.