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Virgil L. Jiles • 1942- 2011 Virgil Lee Jiles was born June 22, 1942, a son of Virgil L. Jiles, Sr. and Myrtle Estine (Giddings) Jiles, in Red River Parish, Martin, Louisiana. Virgil entered the United States Army in May of 1962. His training started with him attending Microwave Radio Repair School. Upon completion of this training, he was sent to Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he met and later married the love of his life, Joyce Haaland. They were united in marriage August 29, 1964, in Carpio, ND. He was honorably discharged from the Army in May of 1965. He and Joyce then moved to El Paso, Texas, where he worked civil service as a microwave technician for the U.S. Army at Ft. Bliss, Texas. From November of 1982 to July 1985, he worked at USAESEIA DOE-CED at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, where he did quality control on telephone systems. In July 1985, he went to work for the Electronic Proving Ground at Ft. Huachuca, where he did testing and research on high frequency communications. Throughout his time at Ft. Huachuca, he traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia. In February of 1991, he and Joyce moved to Williston, ND, where he started his career with the National Weather Service. In October of 1994, he and Joyce moved to Grand Forks, ND, to help get the new weather station operational. He retired in December of 1999, after 39 years of federal service. Upon his retirement, he and Joyce moved back to his beloved Williston. Throughout his life since the age of 16, he had been a ham radio operator (WA5TLP). This hobby gave him countless hours of enjoyment. He also conducted ham radio classes in Williston for new Ham enthusiasts. He also loved going to the Rifle Range in Williston, where he was an avid shooter. He spent many hours loading ammunition for himself and others. He was the treasurer of the Williston Basin Amateur Radio Club and also the treasurer of the Williston Chapter of NARFE. His loving family includes: wife of 47 years, Joyce, Williston, and their wonderful dog, Dolly;
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Virgil L. Jiles, 69, Williston, ND, died Saturday, January 21, 2012, in a Bismarck hospital.