Rest in peace Fr. Bill
/The Reverend William Chandler Riker Jr. Obituary (2025)
The Reverend William (Bill) Chandler Riker, Jr., 84, left us peacefully on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Born in Doctor's Hospital in New York, Bill was the fourth child, and only son, of William C. Riker and Mary Jackson Riker, Jr. He grew up mostly in New York and New Jersey, going to St. Paul's School in NH at the age of 12 and, two years later, transferring to South Kent School in CT, from which he graduated. He attended the University of Oregon, originally wanting to be an architect but finding that was not to be his life's work. After graduation he joined the Navy, and was stationed in DC and Hawaii. When stationed in DC, he would often return to NJ, where he met Barbara Untermeyer, his lifelong love, though their relationship would wait 30 years to come together. Commissioned an Ensign, he served with the Naval Intelligence Department and when at Pearl Harbor, was the commander of the Honor Guard for the 25th Anniversary of the USS Arizona.
While he was in Hawaii, Barbara had married. Bill met and married Julie Hartwell, the mother of his children Mary and Chandler. After his discharge from the Navy, Bill attended one year at the University of Washington Law School before deciding that the Law was not for him. He then sold Life Insurance and Mutual Funds but found this also was not his career path. As a teen and again in his early twenties, Bill had felt a call to the Episcopal Priesthood. The third time, he decided that was what God wanted him to do. Because he had missed the cut-off date for Seminary that year, he drove a yellow cab in Seattle and prepared for his entrance in the Fall of 1970. He was ordained a priest in Red Wood City, CA in 1974, where he became Curate and Priest in Charge for three years. He celebrated his 50th Anniversary in the Priesthood on November 23, 2024.
Finishing his time in CA, Bill moved to Lopez Island, WA where he had built a home. During this time, he and Julie divorced. Bill ran for and won a seat as a Commissioner of the San Juan Islands, a position he held for four years. He re-earned his pilot's license, purchased a plane and flew to meetings. Having the ability to move freely about, he also functioned as a supply priest up and down that portion of the Pacific NorthWest. In 1980, he met and married Barbara Ris, the mother of Kate and John, who were roughly the ages of Mary and Chandler. They lived on Lopez until 1983, when he accepted a call to Grace Church in Cincinnati, OH. Six years later, he became Vicar of St. Benedict's in Lacey, WA. During this time, he and Barbara Ris got divorced.
Bill reconnected with Barbara Untermeyer, now divorced from Larry Carton, who had introduced Bill and Barbara back in 1965. As Bill liked to say, "It took 3 marriages, 7 children and 30 years, but we finally got it right." A long-distance romance began, with Bill in WA and Barbara in NJ. They married in Seattle in 1997. Bill moved back to NJ where he became canonical in the Diocese of Newark as an Interim Priest serving four parishes consecutively in North Jersey. He retired in 2004, but found a new home at Christ Church, South Amboy where he had been a supply priest. Since retiring, Bill had become Canonical in the Diocese of New Jersey. The parishioners there asked the Bishop if Bill could be their priest. The Bishop said yes. Bill served there until he was 80 and loved every minute. After retiring a second time, he became an Associate at All Saints (The Stone Church) in Navesink.
First and foremost, Bill was a man of God. His favorite thing to do was celebrate the Eucharist and preach. As many parishioners have said, "He was my favorite priest." He was a husband, father, grandfather, preacher, counselor, traveler, storyteller, singer, gardener, artist, teacher - a man of many interests and talents. He loved his family unconditionally, his friends wholeheartedly. He was patient, kind and never happier than when he could be of help to another. He was many things to many people but all seem to feel blessed by knowing him. He also greatly enjoyed food, especially oysters and ice cream (not together)
He was a Member of the Union Club, the Sea Bright Beach Club, the Washington Athletic Club, The College Club, the Order of the O (his beloved Ducks) and the Fatmen's Club.
He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Pam Riker, Peggy Riker Harding and Audrey Riker. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Untermeyer Carton-Riker, adult children Mary Riker Grant (Paul) Chandler H. Riker (Lisa), Kate Ris Cosgrove (PJ), John Ris (Roxane), Augie Carton (Lauren), Catie Carton, Jessica Carton (Frank) and many grands: Willow (Cassandra), Elisabeth, Mckenna, Charlotte, Nora, Audrey, Kellen, Meg, Jack, Jessica, Jordan, Aidan, Will, Hannah, Gavin, Taylor, Finn and Cassidy as well as many nieces/nephews.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 11 am at Christ Episcopal Church, 90 Kings Hwy, Middletown, NJ 07748, where he started his religious journey and sang in the choir as a child. Donations may be made to the All Saints' Memorial Church, P.O.Box 326, Navesink, NJ 07752.
