Ona Virgil Byerly

Ona Virgil Byerly, 96 of Winston Salem died on September 9, 2015 at Homestead Hills. After an 11 year battle with Parkinson's Disease, Virgil is reaping his heavenly reward. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, September 14, 2015 at Advent Moravian Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Tim Sapp. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Virgil was a member Advent Moravian Church. He had previously served on the Board of Trustees, Audit Committee, Parking Lot Committee and as a Lovefeast coffee maker. Virgil worked for P. H. Hanes Knitting Company (Hanes Brands) for 38 years. He was very active in the Southern Textile Association, serving on the Board of Directors. After retirement his hobby for many years was repairing TVs. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and fixing just about anything that was broken.
Virgil was born August 30, 1919 in the Reedy Creek community of Davidson County, NC to Joseph Fred Byerly and Sina Fishel Byerly, deceased. He graduated from Arcadia High School and was the last surviving member of the class of 1937. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1941 with a degree in textile engineering. He entered active duty in the US Army. Virgil was promoted to Captain in charge of an Army truck transportation company that shipped out to Karachi, India (now Pakistan) and then moved to Calcutta, India. There they transported supplies to troops assisting the Chinese troops fighting Japan in World War II.
Virgil was predeceased by his wife of 67 years Riera Craver Byerly, three infant siblings and his brother Leroy Jackson Byerly. He is survived by sons Fred Byerly and wife Jeanette of Winston Salem, and Phil Byerly and wife Marcia of Kernersville. Also surviving is a grandson, Dr. Adam L. Byerly and wife Karen, and great grandchildren Emma, Benjamin and Andrew all of Grand Junction, Colorado.
The family thanks the staff of Homestead Hills Assisted Living Memory Care and the Skilled Nursing for their compassion and care. Memorials may be made to Advent Moravian Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.

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