OBITUARY: Billy Ray Pyle

Billy Ray Pyle, age 77, of Harrisburg passed away at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at the VA Community Living Center in Marion surrounded by family.

Billy was born on Nov. 25, 1936, in Carrier Mills to the late Harley and Genevieve (Milburn) Pyle. On Aug. 2, 1968, he married Joy Ann Barton and she survives. During his 20 years of military service, Bill had many tours of duty including Korea and three years in Vietnam where he received the Purple Heart and numerous other medals for outstanding service. Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved hunting, fishing and his dog, Libby.

Surviving family members include his wife: Joy Ann Pyle of Harrisburg; daughter: Connie (Larry Carpenter) Robinson of Harrisburg; daughter: Cheryl (Ray) Markus of Lewisburg, Ohio; son: Billy Keith (Trish) Pyle of Crete; daughter: Patti (Rupert) Johnson of Harrisburg; son: Greg (Jennifer) Tanner of Marion; daughter: Allison (Michael) Lloyd of Grovetown, Ga.; brother: Glendel (Barbara) Pyle of Independence, Mo.; brother: Donald (June) Pyle of Stonefort; sister: Shirley (Richard) Boyle of Sky Valley, Ga.; sister: Mary (Jack) Overstreet of Carrier Mills; grandchildren: Nichole (Chris) Arnett, Kimberly (Michael) Edwards, Brian (Tonya) Markus, Jason Markus, Eric (Carmen) Pyle, Roshia Johnson, Navarro Johnson, Nyma Johnson, Haley Tanner, Maddie Tanner, Jordan Lloyd and Christopher Lloyd; 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Connie Jean Pyle; and granddaughter, Sarah Pyle.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014, at Reed Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Richard Reed will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2014, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.