Henry L. Chiles, Jr.

Henry L. Chiles, Jr.

Henry L. Chiles, Jr. was born in Ft.  Lawton, Washington in 1932.  After high school he joined the Navy and served during the Korean War. After the service, he returned home to Seattle and began working as an apprentice bricklayer.  He worked his way up to journeyman and began taking classes at Seattle University, earning his bachelor’s degree nine years later. He went to work for the National Labor Relations Board as an investigator in Seattle.  He was promoted to assistant director of the Detroit office and moved the family to Livonia, Michigan in 1971.  He earned his master’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1982.  He retired from the NLRB in 1990.

Henry married Shirley Wheeler, a registered nurse, in 1956.  He had five children, Beth, Jodine, Scot, Bret, and Jenine. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Henry was an active volunteer through the Methodist church throughout his adult life.  He was the Scout Master for a BSA troop at St. Matthew’s UMC for many years after Bret and Scot earned their Eagle Scout awards.  Henry and Shirley participated in many Volunteers in Mission work teams to Haiti, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines and Redbird Kentucky.  Henry was the team leader on many of these mission trips, putting his bricklayer experience to good use. He participated in over 50 mission trips in total. He was active in Volunteers in Mission Pacific Northwest region. He and Shirley were very proud of the Chiles Family Volunteer in Mission team trip to Alaska in 2003 with 20 family members.  After his retirement, Henry also volunteered for the Red Cross for several years.

In retirement, Henry and Shirley moved from Livonia, Michigan to Bothell, Washington to be grandparents.  They played an active role in their grandchildren’s lives.  Henry loved watching Sunday football with his grandsons.

Henry lived a life in service to others. He led by example and was an inspiration to many.

Henry had been dealing with heart disease and kidney disease prior to hip surgery.  His health quickly declined post-surgery. He died at Aegis Lodge on January 2, 2023.  He was surrounded by members of his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Howard, and his wife Shirley. He is survived by his sister Edith and his five children.

A memorial service will be held at Bear Creek United Methodist Church 16530 Avondale Road NE, Woodinville, WA 98290 on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 2:00pm.

Donations in Henry’s name can be made to UMC Volunteers in Mission or the Red Cross.