 Pat Wiles, who served as president of Harbor Water Company in Gig Harbor, and was very active in the building industry, passed away at her home on June 4 after a battle with cancer.
She was born in Tacoma on April 3, 1919, and lived in Gig Harbor most of her life.
Those who knew her agree Pat was an amazing woman who lived a very full life. She was an active community volunteer in support of her four children and served in her church as choir director and soloist for a number of years.
She started a long and successful career in 1956, working for a number of firms, including McDonald Real Estate and Harbor Pump & Drilling and in 1979, became President of Harbor Water Company. Under her leadership, the company grew to be one of the most successful privately owned water companies in the state.
Pat was an active advocate for affordable housing throughout her career. She was active in the Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County (HBA) since 1985, serving as board member for most of that time, and was active in the Tacoma Home Builders for more than decade before that. She was very active in the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), serving as a state director from both Tacoma and Kitsap and served on the BIAW State Associates Council for many years. Pat was elected Secretary under BIAW President George King and as Second Vice President under BIAW President Bill Parnell. In 1998 Pat was the first woman and non-builder inducted into the BIAW Hall of Fame.
Pat was a founding member of the Independently Owned Water Utilities Association Of Washington and served on numerous state and local commissions dealing with water quality issues. She was very active in, and recognized for, her contributions and involvement with legislative and other matters having to do with state and local water issues.
She was widely recognized in the building and utilities communities and received numerous awards, including being named a Life Director for the HBA of Kitsap County.
Following her retirement in 1984 as president of Harbor Water, she continued to serve the company as a consultant for regulatory and governmental affairs for private utilities until June 2001, when she fell ill.
Her husband of 39 years, Luther “Ted” Wiles and her granddaughter, Alison Litzenberger, preceded Pat in death. She is survived by her children, Caroline Litzenberger of Portland, Ore., Gayle Erickson and Mary Bowlby of Tacoma, Jack Wiles of Klamath Falls, Ore., nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the charity of your choice. | 
