Edwin "Ted" Byers

1919 - 2017

Edwin "Ted" Byers

GREAT FALLS —Edwin "Ted" Byers, 97, passed away Monday, February 20, 2017 at Peace Hospice of natural causes.

Ted was born September 5, 1919 in Great Falls to John and Mary Jane Byers, he attended Great Falls Public Schools until starting work to help support his family during the Depression. Before entering the Montana National Guard he worked as a driver for S & B Grocery and Nash Finch. From 1941 to 1946, he served as Staff Sgt. of the U.S. Army Military Police.

He returned to Great Falls to marry his high-school sweetheart Connie Feiden on April 29, 1945. Upon his discharge he joined her family in the floral greenhouses of Herman's Flowers. For 70 years, he remained an active part of the business progressing from the demanding physical labor of the greenhouses to the well-earned post-retirement roles of advisor and landscape engineer, mowing and weed-eating until the age of 96. He became an icon of the Montana Florists Association attending state conventions for 70 years, serving first as President and then as Treasurer for 41 years. He was "Mr. Wheel of Fortune" for 52 years, his last convention being October, 2016.

He was a member of F.O. Eagles #14 for 79 years and was a member of the Drill Team and Drum Major of the Eagles Drum Corps. He continued his musical talents as the bass drummer of the national championship G.F. Elks Drum & Bugle Corps and later became its Drum Major. Most recently he was the Staff Major of the Shrine Pipe Band leading bagpipers down Central Avenue until well into his 90's. A long-time Mason, he was a Life Member of Cascade Lodge #34 AF & AM; a 33° member of the Scottish Rite, Past Venerable Master and 50 year member; a noble of Algeria Shrine; and a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor.

As a member of B.P.O.E. Elks #214 for over 70 years, he served as Trustee and was an Exalted Ruler 4 times. On the state level, he was a Trustee, State President 1982-83 and chairman of the State Project and William and Sarah Jennes' Scholarship committees for over 20 years. He attended 17 national conventions and was a member of a Grand Lodge committee for many years.

He loved to travel in his retirement years with favorite destinations being Scotland and Hawaii. He was an avid hunter, but was most content when tramping across the hills and prairies of Montana metal-detecting for "relics" and when prospecting for antiques at every opportunity. A consummate story-teller, he made the "olden days" of early Great Falls and his adventures come alive for friends and family. We will sorely miss his tales and his humor.

Survivors include his daughter, Connie of Great Falls; son: Robert (Diane) of Polson; granddaughters Andrea Smith Callender (Jesse) of Sand Coulee; and Leslie Byers Wicks (Parker) of Salt Lake City; grandsons John Byers (Ellen) of London, England and Sean Smith of Helena; great-grandchildren Iain Callender and Dicey Byers.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Jane Byers; wife Connie; brothers John and Adam Byers; and sisters Mary Ellen Byers, Susie Byers Maule and Mary Jane Horgen.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 1, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home and Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., one hour prior to the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. both at the Elks Club.

Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.