Friday, March 19, 2021
This morning I lost a longtime good and faithful friend, Robert Valmore Byles Sr. We have been friends for something like 55 years. He was the kind of person who “walked tall” for what is right. For what is good. For what is proper. For the truth. For honesty. Since news of his death arrived, I have heard more than one person refer to him as “a legend.” And we agree.
The following quote has been attributed to several, including Edmund Burke: “All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win out is enough good men do nothing.” Valmore Byles was a good man and all his life he did something.
We offer our deepest sympathy and good wishes to his wife Mary, sons Robby, Gale and Blake and his grandchildren.
ROBERT VALMORE BYLES
Memorial services for Robert Valmore Byles, 83, of Many will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Chapel of Many on Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m.
The Rev. Wilton Anthony, pastor of Siloam Baptist Church, will officiate. The Eulogy will be presented by Robert Gentry.
Mr. Byles died at his home on Friday morning, March 19 surrounded by family. At his request, his body has been donated to LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport for the advancement of science.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Hornbsy Byles; three sons, Robby Byles and wife, Laura of Many; Gale Byles and wife, Leah of Negreet and Blake Byles and wife, Lauren of Many; a brother, Clauriste Byles of Many; a sister, Juanita Leone of Zwolle; and grandchildren, Jessica Loring, Jacob Byles, Nolan and Layton Byles, Hannah, Heidi and Austin Byles, and four great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ann Murray Byles and Robert Simion Byles.
In the Beginning
Robert Valmore Byles was born on December 7, 1937 in Robeline. He was the eldest of three children. His siblings were Clauriste and Juanita.
During his later years at Many High School, he became interested in fire protection for the Town of Many. Byles was instrumental in the organization of the Many Volunteer Fire Department, serving from 1955-1969 and as Fire Chief from 1965-1969. He was named Outstanding Fire Chief in 1968. Through his work with the Fire Department and his friendship with The Sabine Index Editor Robert Gentry, they were able to convince the Sabine Parish Police Jury to call a Fire Tax, which led to the creation of the Fire Districts in the parish.
Byles graduated from Many High School in 1955 and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and Louisiana Tech in Ruston.
Lifetime
He joined the United States Navy and attended USN Aviation and Electronics School in 1959-60. Following the death of his father in 1960, he was granted an honorable hardship discharge and returned to Sabine Parish.
After returning home, Valmore worked tirelessly providing for the family and building his Dad’s business. Later, his brother joined the business and Byles Bros. Welding and Tractor Co. was formed. The brothers worked together until 1968, when Valmore went into the marine business, opening Byles Marine. He operated the business until 1972 before entering the construction business.
He incorporated R.V. Byles Enterprises of Louisiana in March 1980. He was well known for designing, drawing plans and constructing homes, businesses and buildings throughout Sabine Parish and beyond.
As a residential contractor, he ranked in the Top 37% of the 31,948 licensed contractors in Louisiana in 2020.
Construction wasn’t his only passion. He was active in politics, community service and helping others throughout his life.
Byles joined the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce in 1960 and became an active voice for progress. He served as president in 1969-70 and was named a Lifetime Member by the Board of Directors. During his years as a Chamber member, he served as Chairman of the Industrial Committee.
He was also a member and Past President of the Many Jaycees. In 1970 he was named Outstanding Young Man by the chapter and as Jaycee of the Year in 1967.
He was also an active member of the Sabine Shrine Club, joining in 1968 and serving as president in 1970. In 1967 he joined the Masonic Lodge #411 in Many.
In 1968, he began serving as chairman of the Sabine Parish Democratic Executive Committee until the Republican Party was established in Sabine Parish. He quickly changed parties and led the Republican Party locally until his death. Valmore was a die-hard, true-blue staunch Republican through and through and served as the Republican Central Committeeman for a number of years. During those years he also took over as spokesman for Good Government and straightened out several parish entities.
Byles was also a member of the Many Christmas Parade Committee, the Sabine Parish Civil Defense, and the Many Lions and Kiwanis clubs.
Professionally, he was a charter member of Varco-Pruden President’s Advisory Council, the American Society for Concrete Construction, the House and Home National Building Advisory Council, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. He was also named an Honorary Member of the Louisiana State Senate in 1970.
Civically, Byles was a member of the Advisory Board of Sabine Medical Center for 30 years; the Many Cemetery Committee; the Board of Trustees of the Sabine Parish Library and the Advisory Board of the Central Louisiana Technical Community College. His most recent appointment was in 2017 when Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards placed him on the Sabine River Authority Board of Directors. He had served as President of the Board and was re-elected to the position for the 2021 term.
While raising sons, he encouraged participation in Little League, by sponsoring teams and sometimes coaching, and proudly watching them reach state-play-offs.
Byles had a great love of flying and became a pilot, spending hours in the sky. He had great input at Many’s Hart Airport, where he hangared his plane. He held commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. His wife, Mary, even earned her pilot’s license in 1998. In June 2002, he coordinated a Young Eagles Fly-In at Many’s Hart Airport with great success. That day Byles and local pilots gave over 200 boys and girls the opportunity to experience flight. To say the event was a success is an understatement.
Although he officially retired in 2008, he continued to work on projects for loyal customers who thought only Valmore could complete the projects to their satisfaction. He continued to keep abreast of local construction and used his expertise envisioning a new parish library.
Valmore Byles was a leader, many times behind the scenes, in his community. He always said what he thought and will be remembered as a good man who worked for progress in Sabine Parish.
The family has requested that any memorials may be made in his name to Shriner’s Hospital in Shreveport.
Thank you to Donna Ammons and Diann Migliore for preparing the obituary.
