William Troy Byler III and Bailee Raye Ackerman Byler

BAILEE RAYE ACKERMAN BYLER entered this world on September 29, 1995 in Orange, Tx. She was presented to her mom and dad with a full head of blonde hair complete with a pink bow on top and big blue eyes. She departed this life on November 4, 2018 for her Heavenly home beside her husband William Troy Byler III shortly after their fairy tale wedding and reception.

Bailee was named after her grandfather Walter Ray Cox. It was no secret she had a love for animals, rodeo, and people. She also enjoyed hunting and adventures with Will. Bailee never met a stranger and was always out to protect the ones that needed it. Her faith in the Lord was strong and she valued her Christian upbringing. She truly believed her meeting Will was all in God’s plan as a result of giving God complete control of her life. Bailee was involved early in youth rodeo, Texas Jr. High and High School Rodeo Association Region 5, received numerous awards and honors in FFA, loved showing goats and swine. She also held rodeo queen titles which included Panola County Cattleman’s Association Queen 2013 and Miss Rodeo Austin Princess 2014.

Bailee was currently in her last semester at Sam Houston State University, where she had earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Mass Communication. Her future educational goals included completing a Masters degree in Agricultural Sciences. Bailee had also been selected to be a part of the National Finals Rodeo Flag Girl Team this December in Las Vegas, Nevada. She looked forward to raising a family with Will. He made her smile from day one. He treated her like a true queen as only a gentleman would.

Will brought so much positivity and happiness to her life and they were inseparable. We know there are angels among us for they showed up that starry night to fly them to their eternal home. Bailee Raye will be truly missed by all who knew her. Until we meet again there will not be a moment her and Will are not in our hearts with plenty of memories to share.

Bailee is survived by her parents: Shane and Sharon Ackerman of Orangefield; brother: Wesley Ackerman of Orangefield; grandparents: Walter and Edith Cox “Paw Paw and Nana” of Orange; grandmother: Claudine Ackerman “Grammy” of San Antonio; nephews: Cru Smidt and Pacen Parrott; father in law and mother in law: Bill and Kerri Byler of Bellville; sisters in law and brothers in law: Brenna and Caleb Smidt and Lynette and Rowdy Parrott, all of Bellville; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends and extended rodeo family.

Bailee was preceded in death by her grandfather, Edgar Ackerman.

Honorary Pallbearers: Taylor Payne, Dusti Hussey, Kacie Wright, Madey Pipkin, Katie Ellis, Hanna Wallace, Rigby Baker, Callie Burton, Shellie Lummus, Kaylee Findley, Caleb Smidt, Rowdy Parrott.


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William Troy Byler III “Will” was born on April 21st, 1995 in College Station, Texas. He left this earth and flew into the sky with his beautiful new bride Bailee Raye Ackerman Byler on November 3rd, 2018 after leaving their dream wedding in Uvalde, Texas. Their feet never touched the ground again. When they entered the gates of heaven, Will and Bailee walked hand in hand just as they left us.

Will grew up loving anything and everything outdoors. He rodeoed, he hunted, and he enjoyed tending to his cattle, dogs, and horses. Will’s favorite place to be was at the family ranch in Uvalde. He was always up to something mischievous. As Bailee put it, they were always on some kind of “Will adventure”. From an early age, Will took every opportunity to jump in the helicopter and view life from the sky. He lived every day to its fullest potential and feared nothing. Jesus was the Lord of his life. Every moment that Will walked this earth, he was a living, Christ-like example to everyone who knew him. Throughout his short life, he touched so many lives and brought true joy to all of our hearts.

In high school Will was an all-star athlete, but he loved football with a passion and shined on the field. Will was always sure to be the class clown and find a special place in everyone’s heart. He graduated from Faith Academy of Bellville in 2014 and proceeded to attend college at Sam Houston State University and lived in Huntsville, Texas. He was a member of the SHSU rodeo team where he competed in steer wrestling. He qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in 2017. He was currently sitting second in the Southern Region steer wrestling standings hoping to make another trip to Casper, Wyoming. After graduating in May 2019 with a degree in Agriculture Engineering, he had plans to start his career at W.T. Byler Company.

Will was very close with his family. He shared something uniquely special with his mother, Kerri. She was responsible for Will’s tender, compassionate, and loving heart. Will always counted on his dad, Bill for Godly advice and direction in any circumstance of his life. He loved his older sisters, Brenna and Lynette, and confided in them about everything. He admired both of his brother in laws, Caleb and Rowdy, and found so much joy in playing with his nephews, Cru and Pacen.

If you knew Will, you knew he loved with every being in his body. He never met a stranger and would do anything for anybody at the drop of a hat. He wore his heart on his sleeve. It shined through the biggest dimples you have ever seen with the sweetest smile. Will was always the life of the party and kept a smile on everyone’s face. Will had so many friends that were near and dear to his heart.

When Will met Bailee he was forever changed. She was his saving grace. He knew she was his soulmate from the beginning. Bailee made his eyes brighter and his smile bigger. She was his world and he would do anything to make her happy. Will’s love for the Lord showed in how he loved Bailee. They had a special kind of love. A love that was too perfect for this broken world. Now they will have a perfect marriage and spend an eternal honeymoon together with Our Savior.

Will was loved by all. He will forever be in our hearts and always on our minds.

Will is survived by his parents: Bill and Kerri Byler of Bellville; sisters: Brenna Smidt and her husband, Caleb, of Bellville and Lynette Parrott and her husband, Rowdy, of Louisiana; nephews: Cru Smidt and Pace Parrott; Mother-in-law and Father-in-law: Shane and Sharon Ackerman of Orangefield; grandmother: JoAnn Fergeson “Nannie” of Bellville; grandparents: Troy and Merlene Byler of Bellville.

Pallbearers are: Rowdy parrott, Caleb Smidt, Tye Holloway, Tyler Jones, Troy Lee Keaton, Drew Elliott, Rhett Sbrusch and Wyatt Sbrusch.

Honorary Pallbearers: Wesley Ackerman, Blaze Byler, Zach Leger, Keaton Denio, Rhett Wilson, Kegan Inglish, Jessie Rosales, Caleb Cogbill, Thomas Reeves, Tyson Arledge, Gabe Leau, Parker Kempfer and Remey Parrott.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the:

Will and Bailee Ackerman Byler
Scholarship Endowment at Sam Houston State University Advancement
Box 2537
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2537

Online at www.shsu.edu/giving