Walter Eugene Byerley Sr.'s Obituary
Walter Eugene Byerley Sr., age 91, died in his home on November 16, 2022, after a long battle with cancer.
Walter is survived by his wife of 71 years, Helen Jo Ann Byerley (nee Wayland) whom he married on August 12, 1951, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, IL. Walter enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 and after completing a tour of duty in Korea he attended the Air Force’s Officer Candidate School at Lackland Airforce Base in Texas graduating in 1957 . Walter and his family enjoyed posts across America and Italy and, after proudly serving his country for 20 years, Walter retired with the rank of Major. Walter began a second career as a successful Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent) Insurance Company representative. He then felt called to the ministry, graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and served as a Lutheran pastor in churches in Gillespie, IL and Farmersville, IL.
Walter is survived by four children, daughter Barbara (Danny) Heinlein, and sons Walter “Butch” and Kathy (Munton) of Columbia, Il, Darryl and Rebecca (Blumhorst) of Alaska and Mark and Lisa (Zawisza) of Indiana. Eight grandchildren; Chandra Heinlein, Jeremy and Jenna (Huch) Heinlein, Amy and Bob Kaempfe, Jason and Terrie (Herring) Byerley, Ryan Byerley, Garrett Byerley, Erica Byerley and Delania Byerley, and six great grandchildren, Alex and Kasey (Ungerer) Kaempfe, Ellen Kaempfe, Makayla Byerley, Lucas Byerley, and Macy and Addison Heinlein. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Robert and Marge (Hoffman) Byerley.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Luther C. and Bertie V. (Snelson) Byerley of Dupo, IL, brother and sister-in-law Roger and Mary (Laurent) Byerley and brother Richard Byerley.
Visitation services will begin on Friday, November 25, 2022 at 10 am. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, IL, the service will begin at 12 pm. with Pastor Stephen Krenz, officiating. Burial to follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Hospice of Southern Illinois, or to your church of choice.
Arrangements by Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia, IL.
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