Richard Byland

Richard E. Byland
Richard E. Byland passed peacefully at his residence in Aztec New Mexico on June 6th, 2025, at the age of 81. Richard was born in Monmouth, Illinois July 19, 1943, to Robert and Juanita Byland. He graduated from Monmouth high school in 1961. Richard married Sophia Flores in 1964 and later in life married Dawn Howard.
He Joined the Navy right after High School. He was the helmsman and radio operator for three years. During that time, he was stationed aboard the USS Henery County LST-824 Class tank landing Ship. He spent time going in circles around the Gulf of Tonkin off the shore of Vietnam. He worked for Caterpillar for 35 years after his first major heart attack he retired
He was a member of the Bass Club and enjoyed playing pool at the Farmington and Silver City Senior centers. He enjoyed fishing baseball and bowling. He coached his daughter's softball team for several years. Richard was the secretary for the New Mexico bowling league.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Juanita Byland, his sons Dwayne and Daniel Byland, Daughter Estela Vargas Byland, and his brother Victor Byland. He is survived by his Wife Dawn Byland, son Robert Byland, Daughters Nancy (Martin) Salazar, Cindy (Nathan) Lovato, Jeannette (Abe) Tafoya, Julie (Joe)Stuckman, Brother Jerry Byland, Sisters Linda (Larry Abbadusky) Raes, Shelley (Rod) Bellinger. Grandchildren Damian Salazar, Anthony Salazar, Tiffany Wells, Yvette Tafoya, Christine McClure, Crystal Murphy, Justin Lovato and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.