Francis William "Frank" Byerley

A memorial reception for Francis William “Frank” Byerley, 90, of Lufkin, will be held Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Lufkin. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mr. Byerley was born December 15, 1923, Boise City, Oklahoma, to the late Pearl (Thayer) and Isaac Nelson Byerley. He died Wednesday, October 8, 2014 in Lufkin. Mr. Byerley graduated from high school in Laverne, Oklahoma in 1942.

From March 1943 to November 1945 Mr. Byerley served his country in World War II as Private First Class in the 216th Ordnance of the 941st Field Army Battalion. The 941st landed on Normandy June 12, 1944, “D-day plus 6” and fought its way to Paris (where he saw the Eiffel Tower and other sites), then Northern France, the Ardennes (The Battle of the Bulge), the Rhineland and Central Europe. After the European Theater of war was over he helped transport prisoners from Germany to France and while stationed at La Havre in France waiting to be shipped to the Pacific Theatre of War two Atomic Bombs were dropped on Japan that ended the WWII. His medals included an EAME Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a Meritorious Unit Award and a World War II Victory Medal. After the war he obtained a BS in Accounting from the Rice Institute (now Rice University) in 1950. He subsequently became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In Lufkin he first worked at Memorial Hospital as Controller and then at Perry Brothers where he had been Secretary-Treasurer for a number of years. He was a member of the First Christian Church and had resided in Lufkin most of his life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, listening to music including country, jazz and classical, following the stock market and watching classic movies.

Survivors include his son, Dr. Bill Byerley of San Francisco, California; daughter and son-in-law, Carol Ann and Joe McCulley of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Marge Byerley of Wall, New Jersey; granddaughters, Angie Kendrick of Lufkin and Lea Bertrand of Long Beach, California; grandson and wife, Kevin and Sheliea Lambing of Diboll; great-grandsons, Justin Kendrick and wife Morgan of Lufkin, Black Bertrand and Jordan Bertrand, both of Long Beach, and Noah Lambing of Diboll; great-granddaughter, Lydia Lambing of Diboll; great-great-granddaughter, Cali Ann Kendrick of Lufkin; special friend, Jean Fox of Lufkin; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Winnie Aline (Lakey) Byerley; daughter, Debra Lynn Archer; brother, Ike Byerley; sister, Blanche Miner; and half-sisters, Camel Cook, Cordelia Pyle and Virginia Sharp.

His family thanks and much appreciates the dedicated staff at PineCrest Retirement Community and Dr. Joseph Koch and his staff during the last days of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 1300 S. First Street, Lufkin, Texas 75904 or Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.