William Keith (Bill) Rider, Jr died in Phoenix, Arizona June 28, 2013. He was 88. Bill was born on January 13, 1925, in Sierra Madre, California, to Frances and William Rider, and grew up in South Pasadena.

Bill served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After graduating from Pasadena Junior College in 1947, Bill moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. There he met his future wife, Barbara Katherine Moore. They were married in 1948. Bill enjoyed a successful radio career in Tucson and was for many years the play-by-play announcer for the U of A Wildcats. Bill and Barbara moved to Phoenix in 1957 where they raised their seven children. Bill was a lifelong Wildcat fan and an avid fisherman. Known as the Buffalo to his friends, Bill was also a great storyteller.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara, and their seven children:  Claudia Johnson (John), Rebecca Glenn (Buck), Susan Connely (Dwight), Blinn Rider (Heather), Sally Rider (Betsy Strange), Matthew Rider (Vicki), and Mary Chase (Tom); 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The Arizona Republic, July 7, 2013