Diles worked for WXYZ radio in the early 1960s before working for ABC Sports and returning to WXYZ-TV in the late 70s through the mid-80s.

"He was difficult to get to know, but impossible not to love," said Bill Bonds, former news anchor at WXYZ. "Of all the guys I've worked with, he was the best writer."

Matt Meisner, former assignment manager at WXYZ, met Diles when he was 12 years old.

"When everyone was telling me to stay away from the business, he encouraged me to stay in," Meisner said. "He was a legendary presence on numerous levels."

Meisner and Diles wound up working together from 1979-81, and described Diles as "the one person who could go toe-to-toe with Bonds."

Bonds said Diles was the type of sportscaster that knew every important person in sports and covered his subjects from unique perspectives.

"He had impeccable sources," Bonds said. "He could exaggerate with credibility."

Bonds said jokingly that Diles knew he was good looking, but he could think too highly of himself at times.

"He was also a great athlete," Bonds said. "But not as great as he liked to think."

"He had incredible recall for detail and impact of the games he covered, and he was superb behind the microphone. I'll miss him dearly."