Howard E. Riley was born to the late, Raymond and Rosie W. Riley on March 6, 1943 in Lexington, KY.  Howard was married to the late, Rosie B. Harris on March 2, 1968 for 34 years until her passing, November 2, 2001.

Howard Riley accepted Christ at an early age at The House of God in Cincinnati, OH and served as a Deacon for many years.  He received a call into the ministry in 1978 and was a licenses minister under the direction of The House of God, his pastor, Bishop Daniel Campbell.

Howard attended Hayes Elementary School, Porter Junior High School, Taft High School and graduated from Hughes High School.  After high school, he attended Xavier University.  He served in the United States Air Force.  He was also on the Board of Trustees with WAIF Radio Station for 12 years and was the Station Manager for 10 years.

For many years, Minister Howard Riley was a gospel announcer on various radio stations: WZIP-AM, WTSJ-AM, Programmer on WAIF-FM Kings Highway for 34 years, WCVG-AM Kings Highway Hidden Treasures.  He served a total of 45 years on the radio.  Minister Howard Riley sang with several gospel quartets but was known as the manager and lead singer of the Fabulous Christianaires for 35 years where he record two albums; "City Called Heaven" and "I Found Him."  Other well known songs were, "I Want to be Loved" and "Glory Hallelujah."

During his years of employment, Howard was employed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland as a Licensed Special Police and later transferred to the Building and Support Services Department as a supervisor and manager.  Howard retired in 1999 after 34 years of service with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Minister Riley started back to work as a Private Police Officer with the Protective Services under Chief Wrings.

He was preceded in death by a brother, David Dudley, his parents and his grandmother, Classie Ann Gibson.

Minister Howard Riley leaves to cherish his memory: siblings, Barbara Jones, Arbine Taylor, Raymond Riley and Melvin Riley; two daughters; loving goddaughter, Angelia Smith; friend and brother, Bishop Joe Thomas; longtime friends, Liz Low, and Deacon James Lewis; special longtime friend and co-host, Marquita Jester better known as "God's Girl" and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.