Edward Stills, 50, guitarist with The Stills Family of Asheboro, NC, tragically passed away on May 2, 2026 in the Florida Keys. He loved bluegrass music and shared his passion with his children from a young age.
Tim Moon, Evans Music Center instructor, recalled how the family band began.
“I began teaching Edward guitar and Kayleigh [his daughter] fiddle when she was three. Then adding his wife, Lisa, on bass and son, Noah, on banjo.”
Trent Callicutt, Asheboro banjo picker formerly of the Kenny & Amanda Smith band, reflected on his longtime relationship with Edward.
“When I think about Ed Stills, I immediately smile. I came to know him and his wife, Lisa, through music. Soon after meeting them, Ed started attending a local jam about 20 years ago. We were both learning how to pick, me on banjo and him on guitar. We had some great times together doing that.
Fast forward. When Rachel and I were dating we spent a lot of time with Ed and Lisa, just hanging out. They were SO MUCH FUN! Ed was the type that lived to embarrass you in public. I was an easy mark for his antics! There are so many stories I could tell, a few being: the snowtubing trip, the Nashville excursion, the cake auction, and the stolen Christmas ornament (from our tree that he took and put on theirs).
Last Saturday we learned that Ed tragically passed away due to an accident. We were shocked. Ed had just called me the day before, and I’m so thankful we had that time to talk. Please pray for Lisa, Kayleigh and Noah. They’re like family to us.
If you knew Ed, then you knew he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He wasn’t ashamed of being a Christian, he boldly proclaimed it. Ed always put others before himself, willing to tell someone of Jesus and what He could do for them. We should all strive to be more like that, I know I should. He had so much biblical knowledge, and always used that as his guide when we asked for his advice. He was the kind of guy you wanted as a friend. He always had our best interests at heart.
I’m going to miss my friend. He was a hoot! But, I know he’s in Heaven and, as painful as it may be for us, he’s the happiest he’s ever been! I look forward to seeing him there one day.”
Jake Goforth, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain’s lead guitarist, shared…
“Edward was a great man, nobody could make you laugh harder than him, I absolutely loved spending time and playing music with him and his family, He was always really good to me, and was there for me whenever I needed him. That’s just the kind of guy he was. I find joy in knowing that one day I’ll see him again!”
Visitation will be Saturday, May 16, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., at Crestview Wesleyan Church in Asheboro, with a celebration of life service to follow at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be Sunday, May 17, at 4:00 p.m., at Grays Chapel Methodist Church in Franklinville, NC.
R.I.P., Edward Stills.
