Kenneth William “Bill” Giles, 75, passed away Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 in Visalia California surrounded by family. He was born October 20, 1942 to Kenneth and Virginia Giles in Mohler, Idaho. Later his family moved to Nezperce, Idaho, where he attended school. He graduated from Nezperce High School in 1961.
Bill married Dodie Pyles in 1961. They moved to California in 1962 where he worked in his uncle’s, Jim Giles, lumber yard. Their favorite pastime while in the bay area was attending 49er football games and Giants baseball games. They moved back to Nezperce in 1966. They were divorced in 1974.
Bill later married Shelli (Hobson) Barker October 5, 1974. They lived in Nezperce until January 1981. When they moved their family of five to Visalia, California. It wasn’t long after they became a family of six.
Through his life Bill had two homes, both Idaho and California. A constant in both locations was his love of farming, sports, family and friends. He spent most of his working years around agriculture in both places. Much of that time was spent helping to build a successful crop dusting and custom farming company. There are many young men who have fond memories of working with him over the years. His confidence, enthusiasm, and jovial nature was contagious. Some parents are hesitant to let their children drive the family car. Bill would throw his into hundred thousand-dollar harvesters and let them figure it out.
Bill loved both playing and watching sports. He was a natural athlete. Playing basketball, football, and baseball in high school. After school he spent many years playing recreational sports that included softball and soccer. It was in these leagues where he made many lifelong friends. With them he discovered that he enjoyed watching and supporting his kids and grandkids from the sidelines. Often “coaching from sidelines”, with little regard of whether the coaches wanted it or not. I often thought he was coaching the coaches too!
It was obvious from all of those who knew Bill, that friends and family were the most important things to him. He would do anything for them. Whether it was chasing cattle, pulling calves, helping farm, lamb feeds, the west side ag tourney, or just sitting around reciting family trees. When it came to who’s who and who owned which 80 acres, he had a mind for it and it seemed like he never forgot anybody’s name. He was always up for a card game, a cup of coffee, or a dance. Now when a new game starts, we pour a cup, or a certain song plays we will be thinking of him. The number of lives he touched and influenced over the years are too many to count and he will be missed terribly by all.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Virginia Giles, and his brother, Dennis Giles. He is survived by his wife, Shelli; his son and daughter-in-law, Shane and Annette Giles of Eagle, Idaho, son Jason Giles and Kim Sterling of Nezperce; daughter Stacey Giles and Doug Watson of Visalia; son Damien Giles and Cassie Jo Epeldi of Nezperce.; Grand-daughters Nichele, Jaysa and Grandson Kaden of Nezperce; Grand-daughter Courtney of San Francisco; Granddaughters Addyson and Sophia and Grandson Pace of Eagle; Grandson Taylor and Granddaughter Kallista of Visalia; four sisters, Beverly Harding of Nezperce, Barbi Vaughn and Judi Sattler of Lewiston, Idaho and Janet Richardson of Cottonwood, Idaho; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral service will be Friday, May 18 at 11:00 AM at Millers Memorial Chapel in Visalia. A lunch and reception will directly follow the service at The Elks in Visalia.
A celebration of life is also being planned for Idaho where Bill will be laid to rest.
