In the first interview session, conducted on June 2, 1994, Ryles discusses his family background and early life in Walla Walla, Washington, and speaks at length about growing up in a large extended family. He talks about spending a year in Arkansas around 1945, about his father’s business as a tavern owner in Pomeroy, Washington, and about how that led Ryles to live with relatives for a year at around 10 years old. He then shares his memories of growing up near the Hanford site, talks about spending summers working on relatives’ farms, including a plantation, and shares his memories of observing segregation while living in Arkansas. He discusses his relationship with his father.