Jimmy Byerley

Jimmy Byerley, 79, of Spartanburg, SC, died Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born December 4, 1935 in Kingsport, TN, he was the son of the late Forest Christie and Etta Jaye Byerley. Mr. Byerley graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1954 and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1958. He became a pilot with the United States Air Force and served three tours in the Vietnam War. In 1967, he began a career as a pilot for Delta Airlines until his retirement in 1993. He was part of the Airline Pilot Association and Moose Club. Survivors include his loving wife, Joyeuse B. Byerley; daughters, Rebecca Turner (Stafford) of Spartanburg, SC and Katherine Parks (Carl) of Abingdon, VA; step-son, Jeffrey Jennings (Kathleen) of Spartanburg; step-daughters, Judith Erps of Spartanburg, SC and Cynthia Jennings of Atlanta, GA; grandson, Dylan Byerley of Kingsport, TN; step-grandchildren, Costa Jennings, Ben Jennings, Nathan Erps, and Matthew Erps, all of Spartanburg; daughter in law, Amanda Byerley of Kingsport, TN; and sister, Gracie Lou Borelli of West Springfield, MA. He was predeceased by a son, David Byerley; a brother, Tommy Byerley; and the mother of his children, Nina Byerley of Kingsport, TN. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 7, 2015, at Gibbs Chapel in Montgomery Hall at Converse College, 580 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, with his step-son, Jeffrey Jennings officiating. A reception and visitation will follow the service. A Celebration of Life service will also be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 14, 2015, in the J. Wayne Hamilton Memorial Chapel of Oak Hill Funeral Home, 800 Truxton Dr., Kingsport, TN 37645. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #25/3 of Kingsport, TN and Gate City, VA. Visitation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Miracle Hill Mission, 189 North Forest Street, Spartanburg, SC 29301; or The Salvation Army, P.O. Drawer 2909, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jimmy Byerley please visit our Sympathy Store.