Byron Dale Peters was born in Red Willow County, Nebraska on March 6, 1923 to Ira Ernest and Maggie (Woods) Peters. He attended rural school through the eighth grade and joined his family on the family farm. Byron enlisted in the United States Army on September 30, 1942 and served as a military police officer. Bryon rose to the rank of private first class and received his honorable discharge in December of 1945.
Byron married Shirley Bailey on February 28, 1989 in Oberlin, Kansas. The couple lived in Red Willow County for their entire marriage where Byron worked the family farm and ran a custom hay bailing business. Byron loved to hunt, fish, and shoot all types of guns. These passions led to his memberships in the McCook Gun Club, the American Trapshooting Association, and the Nebraska Trapshooting Association. Byron was also a member of the National Rifle Association. He loved spending time with his grandsons.
Byron passed away at his home in McCook on Friday evening, September 22, 2023. He was 100 years of age.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Melvin and Cloyd Peters; and his sister, Betty Overby.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Peters of McCook; daughters, Michelle (Patrick) Donovan of McCook and Meloney McVicker of Omaha; grandchildren: Paxton and Beka McVicker of McCook, Alex and Taylor Donovan of Firth, Nebraska, and Jake McVicker of Rapid City, South Dakota; as well as the Apple of His Eye, great-granddaughter, Emery Nova McVicker, also of McCook.
Cremation was chosen and Byron's family will honor his wishes to be inurned at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Graveside services will take place at Fort McPherson on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 1PM with full Military Honors.
Memorials are suggested to the family of Byron Peters for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.