Dr. William Tayari Howard was born February 1, 1950, in Louisville, Kentucky, to the parents of William John Howard and Dorothy Howard, who preceded him in death.
As a child growing up, Tayari was exposed to radio broadcasting. His parents were radio broadcast pioneers in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Tayari joined the United States Coast Guard in 1971 and moved to San Diego, CA, where he started his radio career in 1972 at Kuumba Time!
Over the years he worked for a variety of radio stations, to include; XHRM-FM 92.5, XHITZ-FM 90.3 Z90, and KIFM Jazz 98.1, where during his tenure, Dr. Howard was the only African American employed.
In 1974, he joined Bethel Baptist Church. In 1975, he married Pamela J. Knox. From this union, two children were born and later, three grandchildren. One of Tayari’s proudest moments was watching both of his daughters continue the family legacy of radio broadcasting. Tayari took pride in, and told everyone he knew, that his daughters worked in the broadcasting industry. His daughter, Summer Howard Johnson, worked for San Diego’s Z90 and Smooth Jazz 98.1. His other daughter, Mercedes Howard, started her broadcasting career as an Airwatch Traffic Reporter for all iHeart Media brands. Mercedes also worked as an “on-air” radio personality for Channel 933, and she currently works for PBS in Colorado at the Drop 104.7. In total, Mercedes has 17 years in broadcast radio!
Tayari had many accomplishments throughout his career, including over 50 years of radio broadcasting in the county of San Diego, the production of over 6,000 radio, television, and public service announcements, and serving 39 consecutive years as the Official Parade Announcer for the San Diego Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. He was the host of more than 7,000 events since 1981, and he served as the host of Lights Out
Lounge and the production of Coffee and Jazz with Tayari, heard over Jazz 98.1 KIFM for sixteen years.
He was a proud graduate of Columbia School of Broadcasting in San Francisco and a Radio, Television, and Film major at San Diego City College. Following his retirement from SDG&E, where he was employed for 25 years, Dr. Howard established the Tayari
Media Group, and later, Dr. Howard received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.
Tayari also had a passion for giving back to his community, especially to his beloved 4th district of San Diego, teaching broadcast media arts and the effects of social media to high school students, and starting his own internet radio website, www.kkssdjazz.com.
As a Christian, Dr. Howard put his faith and trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Dr. Howard was a member of Eagle’s Nest Christian Center for over 20 years, and served as a Deacon for Eagle’s Nest for over 15 years under the leadership of Dr. Rev. John E. Warren. One of his favorite scriptures was Jeremiah 29:11.
Tayari will be remembered for his love of God and family, hard work and dedication to his community, and the broadcasting industry. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
On Friday, October 13, 2023, God called Dr. William Tayari Howard from labor to reward.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his former wife and lifelong friend Pamela J. Howard, two daughters; Summer Howard and Mercedes Howard, three living brothers, four living sisters, three grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.
