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Long Time Community Leader
Silverton resident Wiley Carmack passed away in Durango, Colorado on June 2, 2021. He was 85 years old.
Wiley was born in Bayfield, Colorado on August 11, 1935 to Walter “Rody” and Hazel Carmack. Graduating from Bayfield High School in 1953, Wiley joined the United States Air Force. After serving his country, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles and Colorado State University, where he earned a Master of Science in Geology.
Wiley’s first experience in Silverton was during his childhood when he came to visit his Aunt Thelma and Uncle George Zanoni in 1940. In 1959, Wiley chose to make the community his permanent home. During his time in Silverton, Wiley owned and operated several retail stores on both Greene and Blair streets concluding with the Outdoor World, which became an anchor business to Silverton’s retail economy for many years.
To earn money in the winter months, he labored as a hard rock miner and mill operator at several of the local mines including the American Tunnel, The Silver Wing, and The Mayflower.
Wiley was instrumental in founding Silverton’s first volunteer ambulance service. Affectionately dubbed “the orphans,” it was the first of its kind in the state of Colorado. He served Silverton as an EMT for over 15 years.
In 1963 Wiley volunteered for the Peace Corps. Leaving his home, he spent three years serving in Sierra Leone and Liberia West Africa. This inspired a passion for world travel, and in subsequent years, Wiley visited dozens of countries. He traveled and worked extensively in Latin America and spent considerable time prospecting in northern and central Mexico.
Throughout his years as a Silverton resident, Wiley took on many roles serving as municipal judge, Chamber of Commerce president, town deputy, town council member, theatre board member and president of Silverton’s first snowmobile club the Mountain Toppers. He also volunteered as one of the original Blair Street Gunfighters, a group of community members who entertained visitors and assisted with the filming of western movies and television shows. As an avid reader, Wiley was a fixture at the Silverton Public Library. He will be remembered for his efforts to improve the community he served and called home for over sixty years.
He is survived by his son Wyatt and granddaughter Anyela, the apple of his eye.
Donations can be made in his name to:
Friends of the Library • P.O. Box 232 • Silverton, CO 81433.
