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Spc. William J. Byler

William J. Byler Obituary

When William J. Byler was 4 or 5 and wanted to go hunting with his dad, his father said no, saying he was too young. Later, when dad was about to take aim at a turkey, the bird got spooked and flew off. That''s when dad saw his small son clad in camouflage holding a BB gun. "He was a very strong individual," Will Byler said. "He could walk into a room, and you could feel his presence without him saying a word." Byler, 23, of Ballinger, Texas, was killed Oct. 31 by a roadside bomb south of Baghdad. He was a 2000 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Campbell. "He was such a sweet boy," said Ethel Jansa, Byler''s grandmother. "He talked to everyone, and everyone loved him." Byler worked for his dad at his excavating business and was enrolled for a semester at Tarleton State University. He also had a devilish streak. "If you did something to him joking around, he''d wait until you least expected it _ he''d come back at you. He had four different smiles, and one was that little grin when you knew he was up to something," said his sister, Lindsey. He also is survived by his mother, Karen.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Nov. 3, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for William J. Byler

40 Entries

Crystal Munsinger

August 18, 2018

Today I ran in honor of William at the Run for the Fallen event in Hempstead, TX. It was truly my honor to run in remembrance of William.

Alysia Rieg

January 28, 2016

I honored you on my page (see link) Thank you for your sacrifice.

https://www.facebook.com/athletealysiarieg/photos/a.1645795202370239.1073741846.1396720410611054/1698426537107105/?type=3&theater

Colton Vinson

May 22, 2014

You Will never be forgotten Justin, I have always been honored to call you my cousin and I know you are looking down from heaven upon us.

November 27, 2012

In memory of William Byler; in service and sacrifice to this Country.

Peggy Childers

October 31, 2011

To the family and friends of Spc. William J. Byler:
Please accept my remembrance of William on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Peggy Childers

October 28, 2010

To the family and friends of Spc. William J. Byler:
Remembering William on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Alice Owens

July 31, 2009

You are no longer here but we will not forget you. Semper Fi. God is holding you now. We as Americans will honor you and the others that are there now and with you on the day that god needed you. Thank you for being so brave.

Paula Fischer

June 30, 2009

You have not been forgotten and you never will. You gave your life for us and for that I am truly grateful. You are my HERO !!!! God bless your family and please watch over them.

Kenna Larra

May 25, 2009

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna

Mike Casey

February 11, 2009

William,
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

In Memory of William ~ (Debra Estep)

November 1, 2008

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.

The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”

I did not know William, but I am remembering
his service and sacrifice. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008

The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol

Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

Peggy Childers

October 30, 2008

To the family of Spc. William J. Byler:
William gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Johnnie Harvest

September 3, 2008

Thank you for your love friendship and brotherhood.

May 12, 2008

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Spc Byler!

JOHN MARS

October 25, 2007

I SERVED WITH WILLIAM AT FT. CAMPBELL, AND IN IRAQ. HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND A GREAT SOLDIER.

Kelly Herring

October 15, 2007

Will, I was saddened to read about your son in Texas Monthly, several months ago. I've prayed for you and your family. Your son gave his all for God and Country.
May God Bless and Keep you,
Kelly Ray

August 16, 2007

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

July 23, 2007

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Spc Byler and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

brian mcc

April 12, 2007

To Spc. Byler's family. Your son helped me when i first arrived to the unit when no one else would. Thier is nothing i can say or do to change what happend that day, But your son helped me stay out of trouble I will never forget him.
Brian

Leigh Robinson

December 28, 2006

Justin,
You were like a brother to me and you still are. It has been over a year and I still catch myself crying everytime I hear your name, see your picture, or see anyone in uniform. I can't even listen to Kenny Chesney's song "Who you'd be today" without crying!! I love you bro!! You will always be in my heart and I miss you terribly!!

Michael Blanek

November 5, 2006

Justin is an example that our young people have the same stuff today as they did in 1941. Ballinger is still a town that builds great parents and HEROS.

Jesus Christ is holding him till his loved ones see his forever young smile again.

Garnet Jenkins

October 31, 2006

In remembrance of. Spc. William J. Byler, on this first. anniversary of the day he gave his life for our Country and for Freedom.
May William, rest safely in the Loving Care of God and know that he is a True American hero, that shall NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
I Pray that God's Loving Grace and Comfort will continue to be with the Byler family.
There will never be enough ways, to humbly thank these Heroes, for their Supreme Sacrifice,
My brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.

May you find peace in knowing the love and memories you have, will remain in your heart forever and that this country remembers William's Sacrifice.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.

JOE STOKES

July 19, 2006

JUSTIN,

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED HERE IN BALLINGER.THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT SERVICE.OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY.

JOE-EDDIE STOKES

ROBYN GARSIDE

May 29, 2006

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE ON. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL. STAY STRONG AND GODSPEED. SEMPER FI

A PROUD MARINE MOM

Kari Bishop

February 13, 2006

Happy Birthday Justin! I miss you and think about you every day. I love you with all my heart and I will never forget you.

All my love,

Kari

Tom Gugliuzza-Smith

February 11, 2006

My heartfelt sympathy to the Byler family in the loss of William. I did not know William, but my heart is broken and I am sadden for your loss of such a fine young man and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers.

I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.

Love and Peace

Tom

To live in the hearts

of those you leave behind

is never to die"

~Robert Orr~

Mary Merk

November 28, 2005

Justin,

you are my HERO... u had been my best freind for so long... and now u are my angel...just my life is so hard with out u here...the time i had with u was and will never be the same...u left us to young... Justin i will always miss u..... I LOVE U....(I KNOW I WILL SEE U AGIAN SOMEDAY)

Mary Merk

November 28, 2005

Justin,

From the frist day i meet u i know u where someone special to me ... u were my best freind and know u are my angel.... u are my hero and im going to miss the time that we had togther out at my brother mike house.... my life will never be the same u are my hero and my angel... my heart is lost with out u here....Justin im going to miss u so much..i just hope u can still come and check on me from time to time...i gave my prays to all of ur family.... im going to miss u hon.... Always know u are my hero

Jinna Turner

November 17, 2005

God Bless the Byler family.

Justin was the best big brother to me and lindsey always protecting us and the United States. Love you and miss you.

Kari Bishop

November 15, 2005

Justin-you are the greatest guy I will ever meet. I feel blessed to have had you in my life and to be given the opportunity to be your girlfriend. I will miss cooking dinner for you, Ryan and Kelly and watching the Longhorn's games together. I will especially miss cuddling up to you at night. You will forever be in my heart and in my mind. I love you!

Kari Bishop

November 15, 2005

Justin-you are the greatest guy I will ever meet. I feel so blessed to have had you in my life and to be given the opportunity to be your girlfriend. I will miss cooking dinner for you, Ryan and Kelly and watching the Longhorn's games together. I will especially miss cuddling up to you at night. You will forever be in my heart and mind. I love you!

Jessica Mowery

November 9, 2005

I'll never forget the family cookouts and get-togethers you attended with my cousin Tyler Book. You are an incredible person with the kindest heart I've ever known. You're just like another member of our family. It has been an honor knowing you and I want to thank you for your dedicated service to our country!

Stefanie Davis

November 9, 2005

Justin! I love you so much. You will always be a member of my family and you will always be one of my favorite cousins. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers will always be with your amazing family!

Jackie Dawson

November 9, 2005

Thank You Spc. Byler you are a HERO and I salute you and I keep your family in my prayers.

Lanny & Angela Hoyle

November 7, 2005

Thank you Justin for believing in your country and may your soul rest in peace for a great job well done!

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