Elton Eugene "Gene" Riley

Elton Eugene "Gene" Riley, 85, of Pangburn, passed from this life on Friday, August 26, 2022 at Unity Health in Searcy. He was born September 21, 1936 in Bradford a son of the late Ellis and Mary Dunham Riley. He graduated at the top of his class from Bradford High School and married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Ruth Reeves and they were married for 67 years. The family moved to Searcy in the early 1960's where they owned and operated Riley Real Estate Company for more than 40 years before moving to the Little Red River. Gene and Wanda were involved in the Real Estate industry and the Searcy Community both having been officers and "Realtors of the Year" of their local boards. He was also a past president of the White County Homebuilders Association and a former National Director for the Arkansas Homebuilders Association. He and the family enjoyed many trips to state and national Homebuilder Association Conventions. Gene was a private pilot for a number of years and was known locally as the "Flying Realtor". He passed on his love of flying to other family members that also became private pilots. He never really retired as in recent years he was busy with his many rental properties. He loved his family, his dogs and birds, and his River. The Little Red River was a place of relaxation and solitude for Gene. He loved sharing it with others, especially his grandchildren. They will cherish their memories of times spent at the river. In addition to his wife, Wanda, Gene is survived by a sister, Norma Riley Bisdorf of Denver, Colorado and his three children; Doug Riley (Debbie) and Tammy Dixon (Jim) of Searcy, and Sonya Davis (Chris) of Rowlett, Texas; grandchildren, Autumn Riley Griffin (Collin), Drew Dixon, Austin Riley, Mary Katherine Reese (Colton), Riley Davis, and Bryce Dixon (Kaitlyn Wood); great-grandchildren, Sara Beth, Nate, and Hannah Kate Riley, Dax and Jon Griffin and Baylor Kate Dixon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Riley. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 2:00pm - 4:00pm, at Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society of Heber Springs or Sparrow's Promise in Searcy.

Elton Eugene "Gene" Riley

September 21, 1936 - August 26, 2022