Silas Spencer Kiser Sr., 92, died peacefully in his sleep on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, in Smithfield. He was predeceased by his wife, Audrey, and their two sons, Spence and Wayne.

Silas was born Sept. 24, 1924, in Carthage, N.C., to Hilmer and Della Mae Kiser. One of four children, he left home early to enlist in the Army to fight in World War II. He earned the following awards for participation in the New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon campaigns: the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was an amphibious landing craft driver in the Pacific campaign and part of the occupation force in Hiroshima, Japan, after the bomb was dropped. He finished his service as an Army Air Corps heavy truck driver and aircraft refueler in San Antonio, Texas. Audrey and Silas met during the war through letters they exchanged after his brother James married her sister Mildred. Audrey and Silas married after a very brief courtship in person and celebrated 68 years together before Audrey passed away.

Silas retired as a painter for Fairfax County, Virginia, Schools. He was a member of Providence United Methodist Church, founding member of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the church, and a Virginia Master Angler. He is survived by his brother, James Kiser; his daughters-in-law, Beverley Kiser Tuttle and Nancy Kiser Gregory; seven grandchildren, Jessica Drake, Isaac Kiser, Simon Kiser, Benjamin Kiser, Sara Kiser, Kathryn Emborski and Emily Layden; and 17 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, at Providence United Methodist Church, Suffolk, officiated by the Rev. Garland Hines. Burial following the service will be at St. Luke’s Cemetery, Smithfield. The family will receive friends at the church before the funeral beginning at 10 a.m. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at RWbakerFH.com.