Riley Jay Webster Obituary (1955 - 2024)

Riley Jay Webster passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington. He was 68 years old. Riley was born April 20, 1955, to Fred H. and Tove I. Webster in Centralia, Washington. He attended grade school at Grand Mound and Rochester. Riley graduated from Rochester High School in 1973. He then attended Gray's Harbor College, Centralia College and The University of Washington. He graduated from the UW with a bachelor's degree in Fisheries. During high school and community college his summer jobs included hauling hay and driving a pea combine. Following his graduation from the University, he took what was supposed to be a part time job driving a bus for Metro in Seattle, but it turned into a career. He drove for Metro for 40 years, retiring three years ago. The route that he enjoyed the most and held the longest was a bus route that went to Vashon Island. He would drive the bus onto a ferry boat and then spend the day driving around the island on two lane country roads that were much more like the roads around Rochester and Centralia than the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle. Riley enjoyed sports. He was on the wrestling and football teams in high school and was a member of the Letterman's Club. He also played football at Gray's Harbor College. Later he played on community softball teams. In his youth he was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He enjoyed camping and fishing. Riley was also an avid reader, especially enjoying books about history. He was very good at crossword puzzles. He is survived by two brothers, Neil Webster and Eric (Kris) Webster, two sisters, Laura Martinez and Molly Webster, four nephews, Jordan Martinez, Zachary Martinez, Donovan Martinez and Grant Webster, and a niece, Sofie Webster. He will be missed dearly by family and friends.