Paul Vernon Chiles of Inwood, W.V. went to be with the Lord on June 22, 2018. He was born April 12, 1949. He is predeceased by his parents, Ilene and C. Lloyd Chiles.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Chiles, her son Brian Ferris and wife Kimberly and grandson, Ethan. He also leaves his sister Annette Schneider, her daughter, Suzie Nelson and husband Curt and their daughter, Katie.

In his high school youth he served in Army ROTC and was a member of Youth For Christ. He graduated from Kemper Military Academy and the University of Nebraska, receiving a degree in U.S. History.
He served as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Paul was a leading authority on historic weapons and lectured frequently on them and other historical topics throughout the nation. He served for many years as a Historic Weapons Officer and Black Powder Safety officer for the National Park Service. He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association.

He was employed with the National Park Service at Gettysburg National Military Park, Badlands National Park and finally Antietam National Battlefield. Chiles served at Antietam for nearly 30 years where he served as Chief of Interpretation, Chief Historian, and led tours for the public and VIP’s; among them Premier Ehud Barak of Israel. Paul managed the largest costumed volunteer interpretive program in the National Park Service which included demonstrations of artillery, cavalry, and infantry tactics and camp life. The Annual Torchlight Tour, which depicted life around Sharpsburg, including medical care after the battle was very popular and with his guidance the entire Antietam Volunteer Program won the Take Pride in America award, which included a White House ceremony.

Paul was a nationally known authority on artillery in the Civil War and at his death was writing a major study of artillery at Antietam. His previous writings include National Park Service interpretive pamphlets, book reviews for Civil War publications, and was the author of a special issue of Blue and Gray Magazine titled “ARTILLERY HELL.”

Paul was active in many organizations; the Sharpsburg Lions, American Legion, Hagerstown Civil War Round Table, Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table (past president) and The Council on America’s Past.
Paul leaves a legacy of knowledge and of many accomplishments in the field of Civil War studies, He will be remembered for his fair treatment of his friends, park visitors and the visitors to Antietam.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Brown Funeral Home South Berkeley Chapel.

Services will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 7:00pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers please donate to The American Battlefield Trust, 1140 Professional Court, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

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