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Paul William Liles (September 7, 1906 - September 20, 1970) was an American who lived through the Great Depression and came to California in 1930 to begin a new life as a window dresser for Ralph's Dime Stores in Long Beach, California.

Early Life

Paul was born in 1906 and raised in McRae, Arkansas. His mother was Susie Smith, and his father was Jacob Liles. Paul was the youngest of four, with sisters Opal, Xxxx, and Edith. Jacob died when Paul was four years old of severe bee stings. Susie was left with four young children. The rumors say Susie was approached by the local sheriff and told about a good man who was drinking too much, Charles Essig. The sheriff introduced them and told Charles he could marry Susie and stay out of jail if he quit drinking. The marriage occurred, and Susie and Jacob had two additional children, Helen and James Ray.

Education

Paul went to school at the local. McRae schoolhouse, which was just down the street from his home. There, he met Otis Ticker, who became a lifelong friend. Paul was gifted with a head for numbers and completed the eighth grade before leaving home at 22 because of the Depression. Paul and his friend Otis departed McRae on the Missouri Pacific Railroad Freight train and journeyed into the unknown. Otis ended up in South Gate, California and Paul ended up in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Life was not easy in the South during the Depression, so Paul wrote to his sister in Paramount, California, asking if he could come to California to find work. Paul was married to Georgia Agalina Liles (1908-1990) when they made it to California.

Career

Paul had a gift for business and found himself in Long Beach, California in 1930 and went to work part-time for Ralph's Dime Store (called 5, 10 & 25 Cent Stores), working for Ralph David Lebowitz, a transplant from New York. The Depression was starting, and Paul worked very hard, proving himself to his boss. The dime store chain grew with a new store in downtown LA and one in West Los Angeles.

World War II Made It More Difficult

Paul attempted to get into the military, but he was already 38 years old and had severe. Plantar Fasciitis (flat feet). Paul and Georgia moved to West Lost Algenels, California and bought their first house for $2,600 on Comey Avenue, a dead-end street abutting La Ballona Flood Control Channel. Paul's boss went into the Army and Paul took over managing the three dime stores until Ralph returned. Georgia worked as a "soda jerk" in a Rexall Drug Store and also on the night shift as a parts runner for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica.