Pete Byars of Green Creek, 82, went to be with the Lord at 5:53 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 with his loving family by his side.
Born in Spartanburg County on February 25, 1929, he was the eldest son of the late Tom and Ila Byars and husband of Willa Mae Wilkerson Byars.
Pete was a retired supervisor from Bigelow-Sanford Landrum Mills. He taught his grandsons to play golf, fish and love NASCAR. He was a longstanding member of Grace Baptist Church in Landrum, where he served as a deacon for several years. He was a loving husband, father and beloved grandpa.
Survivors include his wife, Willa Mae; four daughters, Jennie B. Spalding of Asheville, Judy B. Davis (Dr. John) of Columbus, Deborah (Twig) Sanders (Richard) of Boiling Springs, S.C., and Kathey B. Pittman (Donnie) of Duncan, S.C. He was blessed with four grandchildren: Erica Horne of Spartanburg, Joshua Spalding of Palm Coast, Fla., John M. Gibson II (Jon-Jon) of Spartanburg, Brandon Pittman of Columbia, S.C., and a great-granddaughter, Avali Gielow. Also surviving Pete are four sisters: Katherine Constance, Sarah Brooks and Muriel Hord, all of Landrum, and Frances Moody of Reidville, S.C., and one brother, Robert Byars (Doreen) of Columbus.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011 at McFarland Funeral Chapel in Tryon from 1 – 3 p.m.
The funeral will follow at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, with the Reverends Charles Arledge and Gary Lockee officiating.
The burial will take place at Jackson Grove Methodist Church cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at Willow Ridge and Hospice of Rutherford County for their love and compassionate care given to Pete during his last days.
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com
McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.