Bill Riley, of Scottsdale Arizona, and Clear Lake Iowa passed away at his residence in Arizona on December 15, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. Born in Iowa Falls, Iowa on October 7, 1920 to William R. Riley and wife Genevieve. Dad lost his father when he was 18 months old, so along with his older brother Ed, were raised by their mother. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School with honors, and attended Elsworth and Loras colleges. He was a veteran of WWII and at the age of 16, he started working for the Iowa Falls Times newspaper as a sports column contributor. That was the beginning of a career in newspaper, radio, and television that spanned nearly 70 years.
Bill Riley worked at the Iowa State Fair for 50 years, hosting the State Fair Talent Search for 37 of them. Ten years ago, he emceed his last show on a stage named in his honor. Just a few months back, "Mr. State Fair" served as grand marshal of the Iowa State Fair parade.
He was instrumental in bringing cable television and the zoo to central Iowa. He served on the Iowa Development Commission and the Des Moines Park and Recreation Board.
The short man with white hair touched a lot of lives - from those who stood on his stage to those who stood under a shade tree and clapped. He encouraged people and entertained them. And that takes a lot of talent.
∼Known as Mr. Iowa State Fair
Career in newspaper, radio and television spanning nearly 70 years. Local Talent Scout.
2004 Inductee to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.
Five surviving children:
Patricia, Margaret, Teresa, Edward and Bill Riley Jr.
9 Grandchildren and 5 Great-Grandchildren
Bill Riley worked at the Iowa State Fair for 50 years, hosting the State Fair Talent Search for 37 of them. Ten years ago, he emceed his last show on a stage named in his honor. Just a few months back, "Mr. State Fair" served as grand marshal of the Iowa State Fair parade.
He was instrumental in bringing cable television and the zoo to central Iowa. He served on the Iowa Development Commission and the Des Moines Park and Recreation Board.
The short man with white hair touched a lot of lives - from those who stood on his stage to those who stood under a shade tree and clapped. He encouraged people and entertained them. And that takes a lot of talent.
∼Known as Mr. Iowa State Fair
Career in newspaper, radio and television spanning nearly 70 years. Local Talent Scout.
2004 Inductee to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.
Five surviving children:
Patricia, Margaret, Teresa, Edward and Bill Riley Jr.
9 Grandchildren and 5 Great-Grandchildren
Bill Riley, of Scottsdale Arizona, and Clear Lake Iowa passed away at his residence in Arizona on December 15, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. Born in Iowa Falls, Iowa on October 7, 1920 to William R. Riley and wife Genevieve. Dad lost his father when he was 18 months old, so along with his older brother Ed, were raised by their mother. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School with honors, and attended Elsworth and Loras colleges. He was a veteran of WWII and at the age of 16, he started working for the Iowa Falls Times newspaper as a sports column contributor. That was the beginning of a career in newspaper, radio, and television that spanned nearly 70 years.
Bill Riley worked at the Iowa State Fair for 50 years, hosting the State Fair Talent Search for 37 of them. Ten years ago, he emceed his last show on a stage named in his honor. Just a few months back, "Mr. State Fair" served as grand marshal of the Iowa State Fair parade.
He was instrumental in bringing cable television and the zoo to central Iowa. He served on the Iowa Development Commission and the Des Moines Park and Recreation Board.
The short man with white hair touched a lot of lives - from those who stood on his stage to those who stood under a shade tree and clapped. He encouraged people and entertained them. And that takes a lot of talent.
∼Known as Mr. Iowa State Fair
Career in newspaper, radio and television spanning nearly 70 years. Local Talent Scout.
2004 Inductee to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.
Five surviving children:
Patricia, Margaret, Teresa, Edward and Bill Riley Jr.
9 Grandchildren and 5 Great-Grandchildren
Bill Riley worked at the Iowa State Fair for 50 years, hosting the State Fair Talent Search for 37 of them. Ten years ago, he emceed his last show on a stage named in his honor. Just a few months back, "Mr. State Fair" served as grand marshal of the Iowa State Fair parade.
He was instrumental in bringing cable television and the zoo to central Iowa. He served on the Iowa Development Commission and the Des Moines Park and Recreation Board.
The short man with white hair touched a lot of lives - from those who stood on his stage to those who stood under a shade tree and clapped. He encouraged people and entertained them. And that takes a lot of talent.
∼Known as Mr. Iowa State Fair
Career in newspaper, radio and television spanning nearly 70 years. Local Talent Scout.
2004 Inductee to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.
Five surviving children:
Patricia, Margaret, Teresa, Edward and Bill Riley Jr.
9 Grandchildren and 5 Great-Grandchildren
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
