James Howard Whiles, age 81, died peacefully in his home on November 23, 2017.  Jim was born on March 17, 1936 in Moberly Missouri, and had been a long-time resident of Overland Park, KS.  Jim grew up in Omaha and graduated from Omaha North High School.  He then served in the US Navy for four years.  He was stationed on the USS Trathen, a World War II-era Fletcher-class destroyer, during the Korean Conflict.  Following his military service, he attended the University of Nebraska, Omaha, where he met his spouse, Jane Rowland Whiles. Jim had a long, distinguished career working for the Federal Government.  He began and ended his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers, with stints with the Defense Mapping Agency and US Environmental Protection Agency in between.  Following his retirement from the position of Chief of Employee Relations for the USACE, he worked part time for the Overland Park Police Department. Jim was an avid bicyclist, well known for his ability to beat much younger cyclists up hills, and not let them forget it.  He spent over 30 years biking through numerous US states, European countries, and Costa Rica.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Howard Whiles.  Survivors include his wife Jane, his children, Matthew Whiles and Wendy Pelaez (Nico), his siblings Dan Whiles, Sheryl Hunt, and Martha Benner, and four grandchildren, Elena Pelaez, Amelia Pelaez, Sadie Whiles and Rowland Whiles.  A celebration of Jim's life will take place at Colonial Church of Prairie Village, 7039 Mission Road, on Thursday December 7, 2017 at 3:30pm.  The family requests no flowers.  If you would like to make a contribution in Jim’s name, please consider Kansas City Hospice or Colonial Church of Prairie Village