A Vietnam veteran, Gene served in the United States Air Force and retired with the rank of Master Sergeant. He and his wife, Tillie Lee Silvis, of the Bunch family of Whitmire, South Carolina, made their home in Goose Creek and raised four sons together.
Growing up in Goose Creek, Gene and Tillie’s four boys knew their dad was praying for them. He encouraged each of them in school, and years later, when they had families of their own, he still wanted to hear how they were doing. In his final days, his sons gathered at his bedside. The boys he had looked after all those years were there to look after him.
Some of us remember growing up with him as our dad. Some of us have known him all our lives as Grandpa. Each of us will miss him in a way that is our own. When one of our children is hurting and we pull up a chair to sit beside them, we recognize something of him in ourselves. We’re grateful for the home he and Tillie made for us and for the simple privilege of being his family.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Tillie Lee Silvis, and his grandson, Rodney Wayne Silvis. He is survived by his four sons, Dean Paul Silvis, Kenneth Paul Silvis, Brian Lee Silvis, and Kevin Lee Silvis, and by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at Carolina Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, with family visitation at 11:00 a.m. and public visitation from noon to 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with a committal service from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the same location.
The family thanks everyone who cared for Gene and remembered them in prayer.
