Joseph Albert Riley (1869 – 6 January 1940), invariably referred to as "J. A. Riley", was a prominent South Australian businessman, and longtime organising secretary of several South Australian institutions.
Born at Bilton, Warwickshire (at that time in Staffordshire), he emigrated at an early age with his parents to South Australia. He was educated at Pulteney Grammar School and found employment in the office of John Creswell, whom he assisted in his many activities and positions, several of which he filled when Creswell died.
He married Agnes Christina Davidson Sketheway (died 3 September 1945), a daughter of the president of South Adelaide Football Club; they had two children:
Their home was "Sunnybrae", 133 Park Terrace (later Greenhill Road), Wayville