Clinton Ward Riser, 92

Clinton Ward Riser, Jr. age 92, of Hendersonville died Friday, October 21st, 2016 from complications of pneumonia. Mr. Riser was born in Little Mountain, SC; a son of the late, C.W. Riser, Sr. a SC superintendent of schools and Louise Mayes Reid Riser, a teacher and gifted seamstress.

He grew up in Columbia, SC and resided in Hendersonville for eighteen years. Mr. Riser, a Textile Chemist, had a lengthy career working with such notable industry names as Wrangler, Burlington, Cannon Mills, Maidenform, L’Eggs, Dalton Carpets, Lee and many more. He graduated from Clemson University on the G.I. Bill after service in WWII as a Lieutenant and Bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He often regaled family with stories of target practice, using bags of flour and sand and once narrowly missing a courthouse. The most famous story was of the day he asked if anyone in the barracks knew a good looking girl he could write to. A Savannah recruit stepped up to the challenge with a yearbook photo but said he would have to censor the letter as the girl’s father was a police lieutenant. That beautiful girl, Anne Lively, turned out to become his wife. The stream of letters began in July, 1943, and the ceremony was held December 3rd, the day after he saw her for the first time.

Mr. Riser was an avid student of life, with a love of history, books, and jazz. He could hold discourse on most every subject and had a gift for jokes.

He is survived by his daughters, Pamela Marks and Rebecca Avery; one son, Glenn Reid Riser; grandchildren, April, Steven, Peter, Catherine, John, Michael, Emily and William; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Milo, Meredith and Scott; and one nephew, Robert Ayer. He will be sorely missed by family and by those who crossed his path.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church, Hendersonville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hendersonville Rescue Mission, 639 Maple Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.