William Byars

William Alvin Byars Jr., 89, died Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at St. Francis Nursing Center in Newport News after an extended illness.
He leaves as survivors Ronald Byars, an only son living in Hampton, Va.; a brother, George H. Byars of Winston Salem, N.C.; a granddaughter, Leah Byars; a grandson, Eadmund "Graham" Byars; and cousins Noppy Frazer, Nancy C. Anderson, Betty Anderson, Gene and Virginia Strickland and Stan and Susanne S. Nazian of Chester and Tom Faulkner of Myrtle Beach.
A resident of the Virginia Peninsula since 1948, he was born on Sept. 22, 1926, and raised in Lowrys. Family knew him as "Billy," and later shortened that to "Bill." Mr. Byars led a full life, throwing himself into many ventures throughout the years. He served 42 years in many facets at N.A.S.A., Langley, Hampton, Va. during the time that space travel became established for the first time. Earlier, he served active duty in the U.S. Army during WWII throughout the Pacific Theater for 18 years, proudly serving his nation. During the 60s, 70s and 80s, off and on, he found a new branch of the military in the U.S. Coast Guard to serve as an auxiliary worker and reservist.
Mr. Byars attended Clemson University and was trained in aviation repair before the war, at Cal. Alera Technical School in Glendale, Calif.
He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown, Va. He also was associated with the Masons at St. Tammany's Lodge, No. 5, A.F. & A.M. in Hampton, Va. and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.
A memorial service will be held at Amory Funeral Home in Grafton, Va. officiated by the Rev. Doug Echols on Friday, June 17, 2016, at 7 p.m. Interment will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at 2 p.m. in Chester at the Evergreen Cemetery.