Col. (Ret) William Wallace Riser Jr. 94 of Newberry husband of the late Mary Clary Riser died Thursday February 27 2014 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Born on November 9 1919 and reared in Kinards Mr. Riser was the son of the late Ola Mae Reighley Riser and W.W. Riser. Mr. Riser attended Newberry City Schools and Newberry College. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 1 1942 and was commissioned as a pilot in 1943. He was a member of the 8th Air Force in Europe during WW II and very proud of being a participant in the Berlin Air Lift following the war. He continued his service in the USAF as a veteran of the Korean War. During the late 1950s he was commander of the 53rd Air Weather Squadron in England known as the Hurricane Hunters. He remained in the service attaining the grade of Colonel before retiring in 1965. After retirement he obtained a position as transport advisor with the Lockheed-Georgia Co. manufacturers of large transport aircraft for military and civilian use. He subsequently advanced to the position of Field Service Manager for the C-141 Starlifter and later the C-5 Galaxie. In 1971 he and his wife Mary opened Country Clean Laundry and Dry Cleaning in Newberry a business his son John joined in 1975. Mr. Riser was active in church and civic affairs. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and a member of the Newberry Country Club. He is survived by his children John W. and Lee Coker Riser of Chapin and Kathy R. and Phil Psaila of Kennesaw GA; grandchildren Maggie P. and Samir Abdallah Joe and Julie Psaila Lofton R. and Sgt. Christopher Barnes and Sarah C. Riser; great-grand children Walker and Anisa Abdallah and Trent and Colin Psaila; sisters Margaret R. Lancaster of Mt. Pleasant and Elizabeth R. Sheriff of Irmo and brother Tom P. Riser and wife Barbara of Kinards. In addition to his wife and parents Mr. Riser was predeceased by siblings Harold D. Riser David M. Riser and Lucy Lofton Riser. Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Saturday March 1 at Whitaker Funeral Home Newberry. Funeral services was held at 3:00 PM Sunday March 2 2014 at Central United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Karen Radcliffe. Interment didl follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were David Force Sgt. Christopher Barnes David Riser Mike Keim Jimmy Martin and Ken Riser. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Barber Joe Looney and Bill Parr. The family suggests memorials be made to the Free Medical Clinic 2568 Kinard St Newberry SC 29108 or to a charity of choice. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.