Walter Phillip Byers Obituary
Walter Phillip Byers, age 72, of Mountain View, Ark., passed from this life on Monday, February 6, 2012, at White River Medical Center in Batesville, Ark.
He was born June 12, 1939, in Council Bluffs, the sixth child of Walter Ewart Byers and Naomi Elizabeth (Kieef) Byers. He was baptized in the Catholic faith as an infant. His early years were spent on the farm near Weston and later in Council Bluffs. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in Council Bluffs in 1957, and received a President’s Scholarship to attend Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1962. Walter taught for several years. He worked as a radio technician in Wyoming and Arkansas. Before retirement he worked for Arkansas Educational Television Network in Arkadelphia, Winslow and Mountain View. Walter had an avid interest in family history and natural history.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Barbara Yochem and husband, Johnnie; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Fred Zaiser; niece, Mary Kay Zaiser; nephews, Mark Roche, Tom Zaiser, and Bill Byers.
Surviving family members include Walter’s siblings, Mary Roche and husband, Lawrence, Joseph Byers and wife, Phyllis, Matthew Byers and wife, Helen, and Alice Zaiser. He is fondly remembered by his many nephews, nieces and friends.
Visitation and rosary, Friday, 6 p.m., at the Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel, Council Bluffs. Funeral Mass Saturday, 9 a.m., at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial in St. Columbanus Cemetery, Weston, Iowa.
Tommie’s work history included set-netting in Moser Bay, commercial salmon fishing, US Postal Service, Civil Service and 30 years at Kraft’s (from delivery boy to General Manager). His community involvement included Board member of KEA and Koniag, Elks (Past Exalted Ruler) and served two terms as Mayor of Kodiak.
Tommie was quite the storyteller (especially the early days) adding tidbits on the weather (wind direction and velocity too!), time of day and what he had eaten were included. He enjoyed dancing, traveling, taking rides ‘out the road’ and walking around town, no matter what the weather, watching the boats, fisherman—and, visiting with everyone he ran into.
He was preceded in death by his sweetheart, wife Mary; siblings Joe Frost, Donna Reed and Kay Lewis; grandson, Robert Stanton III.
Tommie is survived by siblings Nick (Peggy), Bill (Joan), Bob (Judy), Richard (Glenda) Frost, and Mary Koenigs; brother-in-Iaws Ole (Becky) Mahle, Charlie (Jean) Meyer; sister-in-law Lydia Pemberton; children, Charlene (Bob) Stanton, Marvin (Pam) Frost, Joy (John) Parker. Grandchildren: Shelli Stanton, (Greg Ross), Johnny (Heather) Parker, Natashia (Alvin) Lochman, James (Libby) Parker, Thomas III (April) Frost, and Matthew Frost; twelve great-grandchildren; special nieces Shirley Reeves and Teri Schneider also special friend and companion Betty Crawford.
At his request, a funeral was not held. His remains will be laid to rest with wife, ‘Maria’. A celebration of life was held January 14th at the Elks. Contributions in Tommie’s memory may be made to: Kodiak Senior Center, 302 Erskine Ave., Kodiak, AK 99615.
Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-frost-tommie&pid=155781574#storylink=cpy