First Sergeant William “Billy” Riley is on transitional leave from the Florida Army National Guard until Monday, Aug. 31, when he will be retiring from active duty after 25 years of service. Riley, who comes from a military family, is now preparing for his next career as a reserve deputy sheriff for Hillsborough County.
Riley’s last day of active service with the National Guard was May 30. Since then, he has been working as a family readiness support assistant, responsible for helping unit commanders build family volunteer programs. Family volunteers are required of every unit, and Riley believes that helping a soldier’s family in turn benefits the entire unit.
“The non-commission officer is the backbone of the Army,” Riley said. “The family is the backbone of the soldier.”
Hurricane Chasers
At the age of 19, Riley received his first call with the National Guard for Hurricane Andrew.
“I had never seen anything like that in my life,” he said. “When we go to those hurricanes … we provide security and humanitarian relief.”
The National Guard falls under Title 32 of the United States Code. The Constitution allows for these soldiers to carry weapons and enforce laws, since the soldiers are under the command of the state’s governor. Each state has a National Guard, and all answer to the president. The National Guard was formerly a strategic reserve, but became part of the operational reserves after Desert Storm in 1990.
After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the National Guard became an operational force that mobilized constantly.
Riley served as part of the 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Orlando. After his 89-day service with Hurricane Andrew, he was also part of the unit that provided relief during Hurricanes Charlie, Ivan, Frances and Gene. His unit earned the nickname Hurricane Chasers. After the Sept. 11 attacks, he served with the Operation Safe Harbor unit in Ft. Lauderdale, responsible for airport security and keeping the ports protected for six months.
Riley was also part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In May of 2005, his battalion was mobilized. From Aug. 19, 2005 to Aug. 18, 2006, Riley served at Camp Virginia in Kuwait, frequently making trips to Iraq. Even now there are still units stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Riley said.
“There are people in harm’s way in a combat mode,” he said. “Families and soldiers need community support.”
Riley was grateful to be from a community that was supportive of soldiers and banded together.
“Local folks, they really rally toward the soldiers and their families,” Riley said. “Plant City is one of the best communities in supporting soldiers.”
CHANGING THE WORLD
Although he will be retiring from active duty, Riley is still dedicated to his community.
“It’s not about you,” Riley said. “It’s about serving something greater than yourself. If you take and take … sooner or later, there will be nothing to take.”
Riley will be swearing back in as a reserve deputy sheriff with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in August. This will be his second time serving. During his active military service, Riley was a reserve deputy sheriff from May of 2002 to May of 2013.
“I’ve still got a lot to give,” he said. “I want to volunteer and I want to help our community.”
Riley noted that he admires the professionalism and high standards of the Hillsborough Community Sheriff’s Office.
In the meantime, Riley is continuing his work with family readiness groups.
“God gave us strength to make our community better,” he said. “You’ve got to do something to improve your community.”
At a recent speaking engagement at Tomlin Middle School, Riley told students the importance of tearing down racial barriers, and that they were the generation who can make a difference. In a combat zone it was necessary to have your unit’s back, regardless of their ethnicity, race or culture, Riley said.
“Break down these barriers and change the world,” Riley said.
FAMILY TRADITION
Riley is not the first in his family to have served his country.
“Every male in my family has served in the military as far back as I can remember,” he said. “Every one has served in a combat zone. I joined as a patron. I never joined this as a job.”
Riley, who wanted to be in the military as early as 5 years old, is the only one in his family to have served in the National Guard. The rest of his family served in the Army and the Air Force. His grandfather was a Purple Heart Award recipient, and his father served in Vietnam. When Riley decided to join the National Guard, his father also swore in again on the same day.
Riley’s son, Coley, has contemplated joining the military in a special forces division, a decision that Riley fully supports.
“It’s kind of a family tradition. That is his decision right now,” he said. “I encourage it. If I can’t support my kids, why would I let soldiers [serve]?”
This has caught the attention of his younger soldiers in the past. The younger members of his unit have become his other “kids.”
“They are heroes,” he said. “They are warriors.”
Riley believes that his success in serving the military would not have been possible without the support of his wife, Heather Riley.
“I could not have done this without her,” he said. “Military spouses are the real heroes.”
Heather Riley was an agriculture teacher at Marshall Middle School before giving birth to Haley Riley, the family’s oldest child.
“She gave up her career to stay home and take care of our children so I could be a soldier,” Riley said. “Someone’s got to keep all of us straight at home, and that’s her.”
The couple’s oldest children, Haley, 16, and Coley, 13, are both involved with FFA. The Riley’s youngest daughter, Macey, 9, is involved with 4-H.
Heather Riley, like her husband, is dedicated to helping the community. She does a lot of volunteer work with FFA alumni. She also runs Riley’s Rhinestones, a business that reaches its peak during pageant season.
“She’s smart, she’s nifty,” Riley said of his wife.
The couple has been married for 22 years and are members of First Baptist Church of Dover. Riley is chairman of the church’s personnel committee.
Riley is still looking for other volunteer opportunities in the community, especially ones that will keep children on the right path and focused on their goals. He is looking into becoming a JROTC instructor. He has received his certification and is currently awaiting an open position. The Plant City community has continued to inspire him to give back.
“Plant City is one of the strongest communities I have ever seen in my life,” Riley, who moved to Plant City at age 10 from Sylacauga, Alabama, said. “If you move to Plant City, you will be accepted. You will not be a stranger.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
HOMETOWN HEROES
EDITOR’S NOTE: Hometown Heroes is a recurring feature in the Plant City Times & Observer in which we profile veterans from Plant City. If you have a loved one currently serving or who has served in the past, please contact Managing Editor Amber Jurgensen by email at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com or by phone at (813) 704-6850.