Emil William "Sonny" Riss passed away peacefully on January 2, 2024 with his wife and family by his side. Sonny was born in Braddock, PA on July 26, 1939. After graduating high school he moved to Hampton, VA where he met Judy. He said the first day he saw her he was going to marry her. They were married in 1961 and Sonny went on to enlist in the Army in 1963. He loved football and played for the Army while he was enlisted. Sonny was honorably discharged in 1969 and went on to work for Newport News Shipbuilding and Metro Machine. Sonny coached recreational football for Fox Hill Athletic Association and little league baseball in Phoebus. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to go fishing and hunting with his buddies. He lived most of his life in Fox Hill, Virginia and loved going down to the "shore" (marina) where he would tell fishing stories and find out what the catch of the day was. Sonny was preceded in death by his grandson, Cameron Riss. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judy C. Riss; sister Romaine; son Emil (Skip) Riss and wife Angela; son, Steven Riss and wife Heather, grandson Hunter Riss; along with a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. The family will receive friends at Fox Hill Central United Methodist Church on Tuesday, January 9, 2023 from 12PM-1PM. A funeral service will begin at 1PM followed by interment in Clark Cemetery. Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton, VA.  www.rhaydensmith.com.