William "Bill" Rider

Bill Rider of Galveston TX was born on June 26, 1933 in Garwin, Iowa to Ferne (née Duncan) and Harold R. Rider. 

He passed away in the afternoon of April 29, 2025 feeling the love of family and friends surrounding him. 

Bill grew up in the small farming town of Garwin Iowa with a population of 450. The small-town sense of family and community would stick with him for the rest of his life. Bill always said that his biggest influence in childhood was working alongside his dad at the Garwin General Store and Grocery.  

Garwin Iowa was so named due to a misconstrued message over the telegraph saying, “GaRwin” – referring to the controversial outcome of a bid by two prosperous landowners selling their land for the purpose of establishing the location of the new railroad stop and the ensuing town that would grow around it. The landowners were John Galvizer and George Rider. 

After graduating high school in 1950 at the bright young age of 16, Bill followed a friend down to Colorado to work, as he was eager to make his own way.  He spent a memorable summer in Denver working for the Denver Dry Goods Company, the city's largest department store. 

He might still be there today if his father hadn’t driven to Denver, taking him back to Iowa to earn a Bachelor of Science & Commerce degree from the State University of Iowa in 1954. 

At his college fraternity house, he started a sandwich business and also served as the fraternity treasurer.  His Galveston life of serving the community with a strong business acumen was forged early. 

Bill Rider did not know his first name was George, after his grandfather George Rider, until he joined the army at the very end of 1954.  He served for 21 months, undergoing basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, and then to signal corps school in Fort Gordon, Georgia, specializing in cryptography. His service took him briefly to Fort Hood, Texas, and then to Operation Sage Brush in Fort Polk, Louisiana for the remainder.

Galveston gave him a glimpse of his life to come when he came here to take his LSATs. Then the serendipity of good results and the G.I. Bill sent him to Texas Law at The University of Texas. 

At the Law fraternity, his event coordinator role led him to a mixer with his future wife's sorority, where the seeds of their lifelong love were sown. Bill and Gail fell in love, courted, and eventually, Bill proposed during a snowy night back on the family farm in Iowa. 

They married June 17, 1960, in San Antonio Texas.  His wife Gail had spent many happy summers on Galveston with her grandmother, Maie Borden Knox.  Gail was delighted when Bill called to tell her that he had taken an offer at the Law firm of Dibrell, Dibrell and Greer (now Greer, Hertz & Adams LLP) on Galveston Island.  Bill and Gail joined the First Presbyterian Church of Galveston where Gail’s grandparents attended for many years after their return from Missionary work in Korea.  Later, he was a Deacon, Elder, and Trustee at the church, and led the Ida Austin / Berean’s Sunday School class for decades.  Bill and Gail found that they loved to travel.  They traveled most of the world in awe and wonder, returning home with stories and souvenirs for all to enjoy. They were married for 56 years. 

In September of the following year, 1961, after hunkering down at the Sealy House, and losing his car to flooding from the mighty hurricane Carla, the young professional, G. William Rider began his long and happy life as a business-minded civic leader, church member and family man.  

G. William served on a number of civic organizations and boards during his time in Galveston. In the mid-70’s to early 80’s he was joyfully active in Galveston County campaign politics acting as County Coordinator and Campaign Chairman for Texas Governor, US Senate, and US Congress races.  In 1980, he formed his own law firm, Rider & Wilson, with his partner Mike Wilson.   They practiced law together for 45 years.  In 1999 he joined the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, creating lasting bonds of friendship and business. 

For several decades he served as director and attorney for HomeTown Bank and as a director at the Mary Moody Northen Endowment.  He was also the president and CEO of the Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company. These career roles afforded him many of the most challenging and happiest times in his life.

He started a handful of long term social clubs: The Oenophiles (in 1977), several pot luck bible study groups at their home, and in the final years, a beloved, small but mighty bridge club.  Each club reflecting his passion for spending time with friends doing the things they love. 

His long life was devoted to civics and business and friendships on Galveston Island and beyond. 

He is preceded in death by his wife Gail Passmore Rider, brothers, Tom and Alan Rider, and his parents. 

He is survived by his children: Robert Knox (son) & Amanda Rider of Friendswood, TX; Tiffany Ferne (daughter) & Lee Parmenter of Hartland, VT. Grandchildren Abigail Maie & Matt Kasinger of Friendswood; Catherine Duncan Rider of Houston, TX, Great-grandchild Samuel Knox Kasinger.  “Sam’s the man!”, GBill would often proclaim. Now the “G” stands for “Grandpa” and “Great-Grandpa”. 

Bill would like to honor the following as pallbearers:

David Campbell, Dr. Dick Coggeshall, Shrub Kempner, Dan Klein, Neil Nathan, Larry Patton, Ron Potts, Stephen Protz, Edward L Protz (in honorarium), Jimmy Rasmussen, Dr. BB Bondurant (in honorarium), Mike Wilson. 

The family gives heartfelt and sincere thanks to our caregivers, Team Rider, for tirelessly taking care of his body, mind, and soul.  Reba Broussard, Charles Ross, David Webb, Rosetta Cooper, Maggie Mills, and Johanna Collins.  You enabled him to keep connected to work, faith, and friends in his final years. Thank you. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, 5-7PM at J. Levy & Termini Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at11AM First Presbyterian Church, Galveston, TX, Rev. Becky Downs officiating.

A Reception will be held immediately following at The Moody Mansion 2618 Broadway Avenue J, in Galveston. 

Plants and flowers are welcomed (see here: https://www.jlevyfuneralhome.com/obituary/William-Rider)

And, In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Galveston, 1903 Church, Galveston, TX 77550; St. Vincent’s House, 2817 Post Office, Galveston, TX 77550; Johnny Mitchell Boys & Girls Club, 4420 Avenue P, Galveston, TX 77550, or a charity of your choice.

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