He was born in Clermont, Kentucky to Harry Houston and Carrie Belle Hodge Riley. He was married on April 24, 1954 in Bardstown Junction, Kentucky to Frances LaVerne Shuffitt who survivies at the home. He was employed with Kemper Insurance Group; Eagle Star Insurance Company; Providence Washington Insurance Group; and retired in 1999 as Vice-president of Marketing with Columbia Insurance Group. Other survivors include three daughters, Penny L. Braun, Norwalk, Iowa; Robin L. Rambo, Latham; and Lisa M. Wilson, Jefferson City; a son, Duffy E. Riley, Bedford Hills, New York; and twenty grandchildren. He was a member of Concord Baptist Church. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Hospital; or a charity of the donor's choice. He was a 1952 graduate of Shepherdsville Kentucky High School.