With sadness we share the news of the death of the Rev. William Chandler “Bill” Riker, Jr., 84, peacefully on February 2, 2025.
After being ordained to the priesthood in California in 1974, Bill served parishes there and in Washington State and Ohio before moving to New Jersey. In the Diocese of Newark, he served as Interim Rector at St. Dunstan’s, Succasunna (1996-1997), St. Paul’s in Bergen, Jersey City (1997-1999), Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge (1999-2001), and St. Paul’s, Morris Plains (2001-2003), before retiring in 2003. In retirement he served as supply clergy at various churches in the dioceses of both Newark and New Jersey. In the Diocese of New Jersey, he also served as Priest-in-Charge at Christ Church, South Amboy (2013-2020) and Retired Assisting Priest at All Saints, Navesink (2020-2022). He celebrated his 50th Anniversary in the Priesthood on November 23, 2024. Read his full obituary.
Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara Untermeyer Carton-Riker; adult children Mary Riker Grant (Paul), Chandler H. Riker (Lisa), Kate Ris Cosgrove (PJ), John Ris (Roxane), Augie Carton (Lauren), Catie Carton, Jessica Carton (Frank); and grandchildren: Willow (Cassandra), Elisabeth, Mckenna, Charlotte, Nora, Audrey, Kellen, Meg, Jack, Jessica, Jordan, Aidan, Will, Hannah, Gavin, Taylor, Finn and Cassidy, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 1 at 11 AM at Christ Episcopal Church, 90 Kings Hwy, Middletown, NJ 07748, where Bill started his religious journey and sang in the choir as a child.
Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to All Saints’ Memorial Church, P.O. Box 326, Navesink, NJ 07752.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Bill to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
