William Byington, MSgt USAF, Ret.

Memorial services for William K. “Pappy” Byington, MSgt, USAF Ret., 66, Lawrence will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Burial will follow at 1:30p.m. at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Fort. Leavenworth, KS. He died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 after a year-long fight with cancer.

William was born on February 19, 1945 in Neodesha, KS the son of Norma Jean Byington.
He attended Fredonia High School in Fredonia, KS.

Bill enlisted in the Air Force in 1963 and served in Vietnam. From 1973 to 1978, he served with distinction as part of the Presidential Flight Detail, 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing, out of Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Bill retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant in 1983. After retiring, he worked for the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in DeSoto, KS until its closure. He then worked for the City of Lawrence in various capacities, retiring in 2007. He also worked part-time for Elston Auction Company.

He was a life-long member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In 2011, Bill received the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) of the year award.

Bill was married to Patricia Smith from 1968 until her death in 1999. Bill married Diane Newell-Smith in 2001. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include one daughter, Andria Devlin, Lawrence; two sons, Kendall Byington, Lawrence, and Michael Byington, Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren; and one sister, Connie Leis, Kingman, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to: Disabled American Veterans-Chapter 48 or Oncology Department, Lawrence Memorial Hospital and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

 

20 Condolences

  1. Tammy Beat on January 12, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    Aunt Diane, Andria, Kendall, Amy, Sarah, Laura & Families…All of you are so important to me & I want each of you to know that I love you & am thinking and praying for you. I loved Uncle Bill dearly and will miss him tremendously , but I know my missing can’t compare to yours. I’m here for you. Love, Tam



  2. Amber Beat on January 12, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    I will miss Uncle Bill soooo much! He was such a great person. I am glad that I got the chance to be a part of his life. To Aunt Diane, the kids & grandkids, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love all you guys!



  3. Darrell Hathaway on January 13, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Pappy was the best in every way a man could be. Knowing him made me a better man, father and friend. I will never forget him and will always be very thankful that he was my good friend. Green Grass and High Tides forever Pappy! We all love you~



  4. Claudia on January 13, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    Diane and family …. I’m so sorry for your loss. Bill was a great guy full of fun. I will miss him.



  5. Larry and Jane Daniels on January 13, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    To Diane, Andie,Kendall and Family. Our hearts are heavy. We have lost our brother and best friend. I keep thinking of our times together and the only time he let me win at golf at Okuma, In Japanese Islands of Okinawa. we had both made Msgt together and we went to share our good fortunes together at Okuma. we got a bootle of Cold Duck and realy didn’t drink much at the time after that night the next morning we were up playing our 6 hole golf course and I won. he blamed it on the cold duck. But, I will always feel he just wanted me to win. So many memories it is so hard not to be with you all at this time Much love from both Jane and I. And to Diane remember the crackers!!!. Larry



  6. Cassy Wood & Bruce Farrar on January 13, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    Our Prayers go out to your family. We are thinking of you guys. I can not believe it has been 10 Years since I have known you guys. I remember my dad taking me to the Air Force Base to Meet you guys. I am so sorry for you loss. My father and I send our condolences. We did not realize that the cancer was that hard on him. If you need anything please feel free to call.

    Love
    Cassy, Bruce, Emilee and Richard



  7. Robin Ballhagen on January 15, 2012 at 9:49 am

    Diane and family,
    Sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Robin



  8. Don Hall on January 15, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    My sympathies on your loss. God Bless.



  9. Ron & Sandy Madsen on January 16, 2012 at 9:28 am

    We are holding you in Love and Light. We know this is a sad time but know you and Bill shared lots of good times and memories. Hugs all around. Love, Sandy



  10. Robin Blattner on January 16, 2012 at 9:34 am

    We are thinking of you during this time. We are so sorry that Bill had to endure this road but he is in a better place and smiling down on of you that he loved so deeply. Robin,Brandon and Sarah



  11. Jay & Jackie Martin on January 16, 2012 at 11:20 am

    Diane & family, you’re in our prayers. Bill was a wonderful man who was admired and loved by many. Diane take comfort in the Lord who is surely with you at this time of loss.



  12. Lynn Wilson-Bruce on January 16, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Andria ~ My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family! I have many wonderful memories of your Dad and always loved and admired him very much!
    Love and Prayers, Lynn



  13. Charles and Claudia Kincaid on January 16, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    We are so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing,Boy, he was a great guy.We had so much fun whenever he came to the dental office.
    He never complained about anything whether it was teeth or his health you would he had a problem. I wish more people were like Bill.

    God Bless Your Family
    Charley and Claudia Kimcaid



  14. Forrest and Katherine Albin on January 16, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Diane and Family, Our prayers are with you. We will
    miss Bill and seeing him at the DAV. God Bless you all



  15. Sharon Musick on January 16, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Andria, so sorry to read in the paper about your Dad. When I saw you guys in the hospitial that day I didn’t know he was so bad. I will not be able to attend the service as I had back surgery on the 28. I will be thinking of you and your family and saying a prayer. Love Sharon



  16. Sharon Musick on January 16, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    Patty, So sorry to read about Bill. I will not be at the service but will be thinking of all. Sharon



  17. Mark DeRosier on January 17, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Pappy was the best friend a person could have. We have laughed and cried together over the last 37 years and I will miss him dearly as will all of you.



  18. Frank and Roni Bergquist on January 18, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    Diane,So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We pray for strength for you during this difficult time. He will be missed at DAV functions. God bless all of you. Roni and Frank



  19. George & Cheryl Hunsinger. on January 18, 2012 at 9:17 pm

    Diane, We were out of town the first ten days of the year. I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Bill. I found out when I was going b thru all of the newspapers stacked at my door. He will be very missed. I always enjoyed visiting with him at the auctions. He is now at peace. If i can do anything for you, just yell. God bless you and Bill’s family.



  20. Lynda & Bill Van Goethem on January 19, 2012 at 1:08 am

    Diane, We are thinking of you often and keeping you and your family in our prayers.



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