WILLISVILLE – Pastor Wendell "Ray" Byers, 82, of Willisville, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta, IL.

Ray was born August 14, 1939, in Herrin, IL, to John and Anna Ruth King Byers.  He married Evelyn June Bailey on August 3, 1962, in Herrin, IL.  Ray was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, a retired coal miner and Pastor of Guiding Light Tabernacle Apostolic Church in Willisville, IL. He was a member of UMWA Local 1392.  Ray enjoyed fishing, trapping, gardening and sharing the fruit, but most of all he enjoyed preaching and sharing the Word.

Ray is survived by his wife, Evelyn June Bailey Byers of Willisville, IL, children: Tommy Dean Byers and wife Betty of Willisville, IL, Tammy June Fred and husband John of Lavon, TX; grandchildren: Constance Korbelic (Neill) of Wylie, TX, Ashley McBride (Ben) of Owensboro, KY, Jean-Luc Fred (Dani) of Wylie, TX; great grandchildren: Amariah McBride, Gracelyn McBride, Jason Fred, Esther McBride; sisters-in-law: Voge Bailey of Roadhouse, IL, Audrey Brown (Bob) of Bush, IL; brother-in-law, John Patterson of Herrin, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Ruth King Byers, and a sister, Flossie Mae Byers.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Guiding Light Tabernacle Apostolic Church, Willisville, with Rev. Bobby Langford, Rev. Jerron Hurst and Rev. Keith Avery officiating.  Burial to follow at New Hope Gardens, Willisville.   Friends and family may call from 10 – 1 pm at the church. Memorials may be given to Guiding Light Tabernacle Apostolic Church and can be mailed to Wilson's Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.  Due to executive orders, current COVID guidelines will be followed.