Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

Elizabeth Wiley, 97, passed away April 20, 2022. She was born Sept. 17, 1924, in Palouse, Wash., the daughter of William Preslie and Mary Elizabeth (Spencer) Turnbow.

Elizabeth graduated from Palouse High School, Class of 1942. Following graduation, she married Richard Wiley and they were blessed with 56 years of marriage.

They lived in California for six years and then returned to the Palouse. After her husband suffered a farming accident, they moved to Spokane so he could go back to school and she went to work as a retail clerk.

In 1973, Elizabeth became the first female toll collector...