Risley Family History & Genealogy

Clifford Risley, Moorpark As his B-24 descended into the steep canyon in what is now Taiwan, Moorpark resident Clifford Risley watched with fear as the three bombers before his were shot down by heavy ground fire. THEY MADE IT BACK—Paul Miller, seated far left, gathers with fellow crew members around the engine of a B-17 Flying Fortress after narrowly escaping death during a dangerous mission to bomb a Nazi rail yard in 1944. The B-17 pilot, Lt. John “Jack” Furrer, far right, shakes the hand of thefighter pilot who helped the damaged plane make it back to safety. Courtesy of Nannette Furrer THEY MADE IT BACK—Paul Miller, seated far left, gathers with fellow crew members around the engine of a B-17 Flying Fortress after narrowly escaping death during a dangerous mission to bomb a Nazi rail yard in 1944. The B-17 pilot, Lt. John “Jack” Furrer, far right, shakes the hand of thefighter pilot who helped the damaged plane make it back to safety. Courtesy of Nannette Furrer “It was scary,” said the WWII veteran, who was 19 at the time. “There was a mountain range on both sides (of the canyon), and the Japanese had it protected with aircraft guns at all altitudes.” Clifford Risley, Moorpark As his B-24 descended into the steep canyon in what is now Taiwan, Moorpark resident Clifford Risley watched with fear as the three bombers before his were shot down by heavy ground fire. THEY MADE IT BACK—Paul Miller, seated far left, gathers with fellow crew members around the engine of a B-17 Flying Fortress after narrowly escaping death during a dangerous mission to bomb a Nazi rail yard in 1944. The B-17 pilot, Lt. John “Jack” Furrer, far right, shakes the hand of thefighter pilot who helped the damaged plane make it back to safety. Courtesy of Nannette Furrer THEY MADE IT BACK—Paul Miller, seated far left, gathers with fellow crew members around the engine of a B-17 Flying Fortress after narrowly escaping death during a dangerous mission to bomb a Nazi rail yard in 1944. The B-17 pilot, Lt. John “Jack” Furrer, far right, shakes the hand of thefighter pilot who helped the damaged plane make it back to safety. Courtesy of Nannette Furrer “It was scary,” said the WWII veteran, who was 19 at the time. “There was a mountain range on both sides (of the canyon), and the Japanese had it protected with aircraft guns at all altitudes.” “We were under heavy fire,” said Risley, a navigator, who left active duty in 1945. “We got shot at, but not fatally. . . . I felt like God was protecting us.” The B-24s gradually gained altitude to climb out of the enemy’s range. It was but one of 44 missions Risley flew in World War II. Thankful to be alive, the Indiana native, who spent 17 years in the reserves, will join his fellow members of the American Legion during the American Legion Post 502’s Memorial Day service on Mon., May 27 in Moorpark. Monday is an important day, not just for veterans but for all Americans, said Jim Carpenter, the Moorpark post’s adjutant. “We need to honor the sacrifices made by the young men and women who put their lives on the line for our country.” Risley, a retired research director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, said his memories of the war remain fresh in his mind. “You live with it all of your life,” he said. “Every day something brings back memories.” The married father of three said he looks forward to catching up with other local veterans. “There’s a special bond between anybody who serves,” he said. “You feel like you’re brothers.” —Stephanie Sumell

Sylvia Arizona (Risley) Jones of Hominy, Oklahoma United States was born on October 10, 1944, and died at age 68 years old in February 2013 in Hominy.

Jewell Mae (Risley) Lasseter was born on September 20, 1918 in Canehill, Arkansas United States, and died at age 87 years old on October 20, 2005 in Glen Ellen, CA. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Jewell Mae (Risley) Lasseter.

Susan Marie (Bucholski) Risley was born on November 8, 1987 in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey United States to Edward J Bucholski II and Marsha Shaw, and has a brother Edward J. Bucholski III. Susan Risley married Paul Risley on June 2, 2018 at Millville 309 Columbine Ave, in Millville, Cumberland County, and has children Alexis Madison Cagle and JayDen Alexander Bucholski. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan M. Risley.

Paul Risley was born on June 19, 1987. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Paul Risley.

Glen M Risley of Sterling, Rice County, KS was born on January 18, 1917, and died at age 80 years old on May 14, 1997.

Albert C Risley of Reno, Washoe County, Nevada was born on July 12, 1918, and died at age 68 years old in January 1987.

John H Risley of West Hartford, Hartford County, CT was born on April 14, 1917, and died at age 89 years old on July 1, 2006.

John G Risley of New Jersey was born on June 5, 1922, and died at age 43 years old in November 1965.

John J Risley of Mount Laurel, Burlington County, NJ was born on November 21, 1914, and died at age 63 years old in November 1977.

John H Risley of Stamford, Delaware County, NY was born on February 7, 1924, and died at age 83 years old on November 5, 2007.

Douglas S Risley of Opa Locka, Miami-Dade County, Florida was born on December 7, 1911, and died at age 72 years old in March 1984.

Ralph E Risley of Wichita, Sedgwick County, KS was born on June 5, 1924, and died at age 79 years old on January 23, 2004.

Edward H Risley of Interlaken, Seneca County, NY was born on December 17, 1922, and died at age 83 years old on December 29, 2005.

Carl H Risley of Jacksonville, Duval County, FL was born on January 17, 1919, and died at age 76 years old on October 2, 1995.

Raymond W Risley of Appleton, Niagara County, NY was born on December 10, 1908, and died at age 88 years old on August 30, 1997.

Raymond N Risley of Audubon, Camden County, NJ was born on July 7, 1921, and died at age 74 years old on September 28, 1995.

Burt L Risley of Rosenberg, Fort Bend County, TX was born on November 26, 1919, and died at age 72 years old on June 19, 1992.

Richard A Risley of Littleton, Jefferson County, CO was born on September 4, 1921, and died at age 81 years old on December 16, 2002. Richard Risley was buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery Section 8 Site 98 4400 West Kenyon Avenue, in Denver.

Richard F Risley of Liverpool, Onondaga County, NY was born on February 13, 1927, and died at age 51 years old in August 1978.