Former Pend Oreille County Sheriff Dies

Wed., Dec. 2, 1998

William ‘Pete’ Giles Newport, Wash.

Memorial service for William Monroe “Pete” Giles, a longtime Newport resident and former Pend Oreille County Sheriff, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Newport United Church of Christ. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Giles, who was born in Lark, Texas, died Monday. He was 79.

In 1942 he enlisted in Army, serving through World War II. In 1945 he began his career in law enforcement, working as a deputy sheriff for Clark County in Vancouver, Wash.

He then moved to Colville, Wash., where he worked in the woods and for the City Police Department before moving to Metaline Falls, Wash. He was appointed city marshal in Metaline and worked there until being elected Pend Oreille County sheriff.

In 1955, he married Nellie (Lear) Dillon, and they moved to Newport. He continued to serve as sheriff until 1962, when he began working as street superintendent for the city of Newport for six years.

Mr. Giles then worked for the city of Ione, Wash., as marshal and in maintenance. He held the position of Newport School District head custodian prior to being elected sheriff again in 1974, serving until 1978.

He served as chairman of the Pend Oreille County March of Dimes and the Cancer Crusade. He was the first tribal judge for the Kalispell (Mont.) Indians and had been the justice of the peace in Newport.

Mr. Giles was a Mason and was installed as master of Newport Masonic Lodge 144 in 1968. He was also a member and had served as worthy patron of Zillah Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star seven times.

He also was a member of the Oldtime Fiddlers and the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Posse.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Barbara Bauer of Priest River, Idaho, Joyce Swafford of Newport and Loretta Weber of Kent, Wash.; three sons, Jerry Dillon of Spokane, Terry Dillon of Everett and William Giles of Clackamas, Ore.; two sisters, Jessie Fox of Raymor, Mo., and Doris Crittendon of Seattle; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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Former Pend Oreille County Sheriff Dies

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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