William E. Siler

William Earl Siler passed away peacefully in his sleep at Baptist Village in Erlanger, KY after relocating from Richmond, KY earlier this year.

Born in 1933 to Roscoe and Gladys Lay Siler of Corbin, KY, Bill was one of four with one brother and two sisters. After growing up in Corbin, Bill enlisted in the Navy at the outbreak of the Korean War. After enlisting, but before he deployed, Bill met the love of his life, Iris Payne, at a pharmacy in downtown Corbin. Bill then served his country in the Korean War but returned on leave to marry Iris on Valentine's Day in 1953.

After leaving the Navy, Bill began his career working for various newspapers which took him to Vicksburg, MS as a printer and on to Manchester, KY before he settled with the Dayton Daily News, Dayton, OH where he spent the next 30 years until his retirement in 1995.

The day he retired, Bill and Iris moved to a home they had built in Berea, KY where they spent many years taking road trips, traveling across the world and watching the squirrels in their backyard. They eventually moved on to McCready Manor in Richmond, KY where they enjoyed many day trips, fellowship and daily activities.

All who knew him remember Bill as a man of deep faith, a calm and powerful demeanor and a melodic voice, which he shared with the Berea Baptist Church congregation, where he and Iris sang in the choir. Bill shared his faith with the world as a leader in Gideon's International. He was also a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge #617 F&AM.

Bill is preceded in death by his brother Arnold Siler, nephews Donald Siler and David Farris and great niece Andrea Rex. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Iris Siler, currently of Florence, KY, sisters Alene Bolton of Florence, KY, Ann Farris of Kingsport, TN and nieces Patricia Rex of Denver, CO, Jane Luippold of Dallas, TX and Karen Houston of Cincinnati, OH.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations can be made to "Wreaths for KYCN" – Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, Williamstown, KY

Funeral services will be at 1 pm, Monday, September 22, 2025, at Lakes Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Slemp officiating. Burial will follow in the Cumberland Memorial Gardens in Lily, Kentucky. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm at Lakes Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be left at www.lakesfuneralhome.com