Clifton Eugene "Bud" Siler

Clifton Eugene “Bud” Siler, age 95, passed away in peace on April 11, 2025, at Mission Hospital, with his loving family by his side.

Born August 7, 1929, to Clifton Kip Siler and Elizabeth Carroll Gunnin Siler, Bud was a proud Asheville native who deeply valued his mountain roots. He graduated from Sand Hill High School Class of 1947, then attended both Davidson College and Duke University. He proudly served in the United States Air Force.

Bud was married to Dorothy “Dottie” Eatmon Siler on January 27, 1967. She preceded him in death on August 17, 2019.

He always said that his best education came from roaming the Western North Carolina mountains. He hiked Mt. Pisgah at least 75 times and explored the mountains around Franklin, NC, particularly Wayah Bald and Siler Bald, in Macon County.

In the early 1960s, Bud began his dream of designing and handcrafting his own flint locks for muzzleloading rifles. He modeled them after the 18th century Germanic-style flintlock, which became the foundation for the world renowned Siler Lock Company, co-founded with Dottie at his side. Their efforts led to the growth of Siler Locks, which continue to thrive today under the careful watch of Jim and Karen Chambers of Jim Chambers Flintlocks, Ltd. The Siler Lock story is well documented in the Foxfire Book series, Book 5.

Bud had a tremendous respect for his Siler family roots, spending many hours researching and documenting his descendant’s lineage from the 1700s. He became our family historian after the passing of his mother and his knowledge made one feel like we knew our ancestors on a personal level.

Bud is survived by his brother-in-law, Willard A. Hintz (husband of the late Betty Rankin Siler Hintz) and his only niece, Elizabeth “Beth” Hintz Stahl (husband Jim), and great nieces, Andrea Carroll Stahl Bowers (husband Sean) and Elizabeth Siler Stahl Eason (husband Max); a multitude of very dear first cousins and their families including Col. James T. O’Kelley (USMC Ret.) (wife Jan), Ronald Lee O’Kelley (wife Lesley), Charles Fletcher O’Kelley (wife Ralphael), Paula Carroll O’Kelley Labian (husband Bill, LCDR US Navy Ret.), Jesse Richardson (Rick) Siler and family, Carol Moser Quigg (husband Joe), Robert Moser (wife Vivian), Jim Gunnin (wife Barbara), John Gunnin and Robert Morecock. Many other second cousins and hosts of dear friends are left to cherish him memory and legacy.

Graveside services for Bud will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Forest Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 880 Sand Hill Road, Asheville, NC.

Memorials may be made in his memory to Oak Forest Presbyterian Cemetery, Inc., c/o 11 Twin Acres Dr., Candler, NC 28715.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family.