Roland Junior Byers, 87, of Winchester, Indiana, passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
He was born on May 22, 1934, in Darke County, Ohio to the late Roland Sr. and Anna Louise (Dunn) Byers.
In addition to his parents, Roland was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Byers; his son-in-law, Charles Sneed; and his mother and father-in-law, William and Betty Back; his sister-in-law, Debbie Glasscoe; and his brother-in-law, Steven Back.
Roland is survived by the love of his life, and wife of 43 wonderful years, Sherry (Back) Byers, whom he married in 1978; his children, Cheryl Byers-Sneed of Oak Harbor, Ohio, Parris “Butch” (Carolyn) Byers of Greenville, Ohio, Brent (Lori) Byers of Union City, Ohio, Lisa (Dave) Frew of Vandalia, Ohio, Shelley (Barry) Miller of Winchester, Indiana, Ronald (Rhonda Kolling) Mowry II of Arcanum, Ohio, Amanda (Theron) Jett of Richmond, Indiana; and his brother, Duane (Pat) Byers of Arcanum; his sisters-in-law, Nellie (David) Booher, Susan White, and Wendy Trent; and his brother-in-law, William (Laura) Back. Roland was very proud and loved his 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Roland grew up on his family’s farm and worked the farm for a number of years as an adult. He often shared stories of working for NCR and his later work as a milkman at Dairymaid. Roland retired in 1995 after many years working alongside his son, Brent, as a millwright at JVProducts in Arcanum, Ohio.
Roland was a lifelong sports fan and especially loved playing golf with his sons and longtime friends Tim Means and Eldean Shelley. He looked forward to and loved watching his grandsons play ball. He was an avid basketball fan and a die-hard Lebron James fan, before Lebron even had fans. He had followed Lebron’s career since high school and could quote any fact there was about Lebron, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the LA Lakers.
After retirement, Roland enjoyed driving trucks and traveling the country with his wife Sherry. He was an honest man and if you wanted his opinion on something you better be prepared for his answer, because he was going to tell you the truth. He loved the Lord and attended the Solid Rock Apostolic Church in Bradford, Ohio. He was active in church and in his younger years could be found leading worship and singing. If there is anyone that is an example of a life well lived, Roland is that example.
We invite all family and friends to celebrate that life well lived by attending his service and wearing any Lebron James or LA Lakers attire or colors. Roland wouldn’t have had it any other way!
Roland’s Celebration will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Solid Rock Apostolic Church, 8991 Old State Route 36, Bradford, OH 45308, with Pastor Matthew Oshell officiating. Burial will follow at Abbottsville Cemetery.
Guests are invited to visit with Roland’s family on Saturday from 12 noon until the time of the service at 2:00 PM.
Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus, is caring for Roland’s family.
Online condolences may be shared with Roland’s family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.