1954-2026
Harold William Byers was born on September 3, 1954, in Arkansas City to Wilford and Evelyn (Scantlin) Byers, their only child.
Harold grew up on the south side of Ark City and enjoyed fishing and gardening with his father and his mother's cooking. Harold’s parents both passed away before he graduated from high school. After their passing he lived with his grandmother Grace Scantlin who he cared for deeply until her passing in 1987 at 100 years of age.
Harold learned how to work and support himself after losing his parents at a young age and held a variety of positions in his 71 years in Ark City. He loved sharing stories from his time as a Produce Manager for B&B Grocery Store and from owning and operating the Town House Bar. But he is most recognized from his 36 years owning and operating Byers’ Auto Body & Glass on North First St. He took pride in his work, dedicated to doing the job right and providing quality service and repairs.
In his free time Harold was an avid gardener, fish keeper, car and motorcycle enthusiast, and in his younger years was the life of the party. He talked often about fun had with friends at the lake and various trips across the U.S. and into Mexico.
Harold’s daughter Jessica did not live with him full-time, however that did not stop him from being a dedicated father as he made the most of their visits after driving across the state monthly to retrieve her and never missed a visit. Harold enjoyed teaching Jessica everything he could, including home and auto repair. She has fond memories of working with Harold on various projects that included visiting the hardware store where he and his father had visited when he was younger, working in the garden together, fishing, shooting at the range, fireworks on the 4th of July, and go-karting around the yard.
He enjoyed visiting Jessica while she was in college and exploring new places. When Jessica moved to Kansas City and started a family, he loved to visit several times a year to spend quality time and help them with home projects to ensure things were done correctly. Harold was beyond proud of his mini-me, his grandson William.
Harold is survived and dearly missed by his daughter Jessica Byers-Denton of Kansas City (Ben) and his grandson William Denton.
Respecting Harold’s wishes, he will be cremated. There will be a come-and-go celebration of life from 5-7 P.M., Friday, February 27, 2026 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Arkansas City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Christian Church of Arkansas City for the Grace & John Scantlin Memorial Fund; donations may be left in the care of the funeral home.
