Mr. William John Rieger

William John “Bill” Rieger, 74, of Peach Orchard, Arkansas, passed away at his home on May 22, 2026. He was born on July 14, 1951, in Highland, Illinois, to the late Joseph Gerhardt, Jr. and Dolores Ann Rieger. Bill was the second of six children. For more than 45 years, Bill worked as an over-the-road truck driver and proud Teamster. In 2018, he became a member of the Peach Orchard Volunteer Fire Department, where he faithfully served his community. At his end of watch, Bill held the rank of Lieutenant with the department. Bill was happiest outdoors. He loved watching the sun come up and the sun go down, and he took great pride in everything he did. Years ago, he enjoyed working on his family’s nursery farm in Illinois, where he developed a deep appreciation for hard work, growth, and making things better. Later in life, while sharing his years with his beloved fiancée, Erma, Bill enjoyed being part of her family’s farm in Arkansas, where he found purpose in the work and pride in contributing wherever he could. Bill also took great pride in his own personal garden. He loved seeing things grow, whether it was a field, a tree, a plant, a garden, or any kind of crop. To Bill, it was always a challenge worth taking on — making things stronger, healthier, more productive, and better than they were before. He studied things closely, watched how they worked, and always found a way to improve them. Bill was also a gifted mechanic and natural problem solver. He worked on and fixed his own vehicles, as well as vehicles, tractors, equipment, and just about anything else for friends and family. No one ever had to want for help when Bill was around. Whether it was electrical, plumbing, farm equipment, or something that simply was not working right, Bill usually knew how to fix it before anyone else even understood the problem. He had an eye and an ear for things most people would miss, and he could spot what was wrong almost instantly. He was always looking at how things were built, critiquing whether they had been thought through, and figuring out how they could have been done better. Bill never met a stranger. He spoke to everyone he came in contact with and had an ornery, witty, outgoing, and humorous personality. He was always up to something, always keeping people on their toes, and always good for a laugh. He enjoyed life, enjoyed people, and absolutely loved drinking beer. Bill spent more than 20 years with his beloved fiancée, Erma Magness, before her passing in January of 2019. He loved and adored Erma deeply, and during their years together, he also came to love her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as part of his life. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Gerhardt Rieger, Jr. and Dolores Ann Holshouser Rieger; his brother, David Paul Rieger; his sister-in-law, Gail Rieger; his brother-in-law, Tim Tosovsky; his special nephew, Joseph G. Rieger IV; and his fiancée, Erma Magness. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his three children, Dustin Rieger and his wife, Diane, of Granite City, Illinois, Alicia Croswell and her husband, Russell, of Westchester, Illinois and Stacey Rieger Parrish and her husband Dave of Pontoon Beach, Illinois; and his grandchildren, Reese Rieger, Jaeden Rieger, Jordan Miller, Jayden Lawrence, Jamari Croswell, and Jayden Croswell. Bill is also survived by his siblings, Joseph G. Rieger III and his wife, Laura, of Springfield, Illinois, Ronald R. Rieger of Troy, Illinois, Donald S. Rieger and his wife, Elaine, of Carlinville, Illinois, and Sherry Tosovsky of Edwardsville, Illinois; his sister-in-law, Yvonne Rieger of Troy, Illinois; along with his loving nieces and nephews: Aaron, Kyle, Lauren, Jessica, Greg, Andrew, Randi, Timothy Joseph, Taylor, Jake, Christopher, Caleb and Marissa; and many great-nieces and nephews, extended family members, and lifelong friends. He is also lovingly remembered by Erma’s children, whom Bill loved: Charles Jobe and his wife, April, of Williford, Arkansas, Jonathon Jobe and his wife, Jennifer, of Knobel, Arkansas, and Dana Manley and her husband, Coty, of Peach Orchard, Arkansas; Erma’s grandchildren, Christopher Jobe and his wife, Abby, Kyle Jobe and his wife, Maddie, Patrick Jobe and his wife, Brandi, Keelinn Johnson, Willow Jobe, Ava Vallance, Emma Vallance, and Decker Montgomery; and Erma’s great-grandchildren, Eli Jobe, Bryson Jobe, Oaklynn Marie, Anthony Davison, Alec Davison, and Addison Davison. A private family service will be held in Illinois at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be sent directly to the family. Tri-City Crematory Funeral Home is honored and privileged to serve the Rieger family. Online condolences may be left at www.tri-cityllc.com.

Mr. William John Rieger

July 14, 1951 - May 22, 2026