Richard W. Ley, 79, passed away at his home in Silver City on May 30, 2017.

Rick was born in North Hollywood, California and spent his school years in Eloy, Arizona, where his parents, George and Allene, owned and operated a general store for 12 years.

He attended Arizona State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Architecture. After serving in the U.S. Army, he relocated to Northern California, where he lived and worked in San Francisco and the Bay Area. There Rick started his own contracting business purchasing, restoring, and selling dilapidated Victorian houses in San Francisco then going on to design his own beautiful homes - first in Mill Valley and later in Point Reyes, CA.

Rick relocated to Silver City in 2007 from Roseburg, Oregon. He soon became an active member of the community supporting the local food pantry, the Volunteer Center, the Silver City Film Festival, and providing Reiki treatments to those in need.

In addition to being a talented architect and builder, Rick was an amazing photographer and artist who was creating sculpture until just weeks before his death. He suffered a major stroke in 2013, but did not let that stop him from being creative and involved with ideas every day until the end of his life. Rick was a lover of nature, art, music and poetry, even writing some poetry himself. He had a kind and generous spirit and great sense of humor, always laughing and quick with a story or joke. He was loved by an extended family and will be greatly missed in Silver City and this world.

Rick is survived by his family in Arizona and many friends in New Mexico and California.

Details for a memorial service are being finalized and will be held in early July in Silver City. Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory.

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.

To send condolences visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.