ASHEVILLE – Ryan Emery Neill, age 25, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Ryan was born in Solano, California on July 20, 2000, and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of his life. He graduated from North Buncombe High School in 2018 and was a member of the Blackhawk Band. He attended AB Tech and worked at Jabil Manufacturing and loved it there. Ryan was a fan of drift racing his Mazda Miata, riding the famous road ~ The Tail of the Dragon. He enjoyed hanging out with his buddies at campsites and was involved with Cars and Coffee in South Asheville. He also recently bought his first home and was very much enjoying the remodeling. Ryan was a very gifted and talented person, and loved by all.
Preceding him in death are his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Gladys Wiebe Butzbach.
Left to cherish his memory are his parents, James Emery and Sherri Butzbach Neill; brothers, Aiden Neill and Sean Neill; sister, Emerald Neill Greene and husband, Dylan; grandmother, Eileen Sloan; aunt; Peggy Karnes; uncles, Brad Butzbach and wife, Sandi; Peter Neill, and Joe Sloan and wife, Carrie; cousin, Don Miller; and many, many friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Brookstone Church, 90 Griffee Rd, Weaverville, NC 28787 with Pastor Jim Dykes officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Ryan’s family. Condolences may be offered to the family under his obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.
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17 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville, NC 28787

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