Walter Lee Siler, age 98, passed away peacefully in Moss Point, MS on March 27, 2021. He was born October 10, 1922 in Leakesville, North Carolina to the late Gordon and Ruth Ellington Siler. After graduating high school at the age of 16 he attended University of North Carolina, then joined the Army Air Corp and was assigned to the 7th Ferrying Group in Great Falls, Montana. There he met Mercades "Janie" Madden, who became his wife of 47 years. He continued his military service after WWII as an agent in the newly formed Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Walt was a graduate of University of Texas where he worked on his Ph. D in Geology. He went on to teach at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He also worked at Gulf Coast Research Lab in Ocean Springs, MS as a marine geologist and later in Montana with the U.S. Geological Survey. As a geologist he liked to tell new acquaintances that he was a "rock star."

After Walt retired, he volunteered with Tekawitha Indian Missions, Great Falls Food Bank, and Urban Development of Great Falls, Montana. He also enjoyed square dancing, which he continued into his 80s, with his good friend Ina Johnson.

Walt is survived by his son Barry (Alicia) Siler and his daughter Stefanie "Stevie" (Dave) McCain, four grandchildren Abby (Jonathan) Browne, Emily (Billy) Higdon, Abby Tilley and Colby Breland, and nine great-grandchildren Maddy, Jonas, Evan, Stephen, Grace, Azlynn, Claire, William, and Owen.

No local services will be held. Walt's ashes will be scattered in the Rocky Mountains Snowy Range at a later date.