Willard Carl Byers

Willard Carl Byers, 80, of Lewistown, went to be with his Heavenly Father on his birthday at 9:23 a.m., Monday, May 3, 2021, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.  

Born May 3, 1941, in Blairs Mills, he was preceded in death by: his parents, Richard M. and Ellen Blanche (McMullen) Taylor; biological father, Dennison Byers; brother, Edwin Taylor; and his sister, Ruth Estep.

Willard is survived by: wife, JoAnn (Broome) Byers, whom he married April 13, 1964; children, Michele (Byers) Burns and husband, Roger, of McVeytown, Michael Byers, of Mifflintown, Mark Byers, of Lewistown, and Angela Crotsley and Charles, of Lewistown; nine grandchildren, Amanda Knepp, Dustin Grove and wife, Cassie, Chelsea Meck, Makayla Byers, Noah Koenig, Clarissa Crotsley, Alicia Crotsley, Logan Deavor, and Christopher Minot; 19 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and brothers, Kenneth Taylor and wife, Nancy, of Lewistown, Barry Taylor, of Mattawana, and Garry Byers, of Hummelstown.

He was a lifelong member of Pine Glen Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, Lewistown.

Willard served in the U.S. Air Force as a Personnel Specialist from 1958 to 1966 during the Vietnam Era. His last duty assignment was with the 10th Aerospace Defense Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, where he held the rank of Airman First Class.  

He worked in transportation at Standard Steel Corporation until his retirement in 1996. 

Willard was a former police chief of Armagh Township, member and representative of the Vietnam Veterans Association, Chapter 791, for 10 years, member of the Mifflin County School Board for 8 years, and member of the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 11 years.  He loved being with his family and traveling the country with his wife, going to his camp and riding his Harley.     

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 10, 2021, at Pine Glen CMA Church, 1058 SR 103 North, Lewistown.

An additional viewing will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at the Church, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m., with Pastor Dan Stegeman officiating.

Interment will take place at Mount Rock Cemetery, Oakland Ave., Lewistown, with military honors provided by VFW Post 7011, Lewistown.

Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, Lewistown, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Willard’s memory may be made to: Pine Glen CMA Church, 1058 SR 103 North, Lewistown, PA 17044, or to The Gideons, Gideons International Processing Center, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251, or online at www.gideons.org/donate.   

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