Barry William Wayne Eyers

Barry William Wayne Eyers, 83, of Woodway, passed away peacefully at home with his family on November 1, 2024. 

A visitation will be held at 10:00 am – 10:45 am followed by a Celebration of Barry’s life at 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7201 Viking Drive in Waco, on Saturday, November 9, 2024. 

Barry was born on January 7, 1941, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Kenneth and Anne (Nykoluk) Eyers. After his family moved to Carnduff, Saskatchewan in 1956, he played hockey, played drums in a country western band, did some rodeoing and then went to work on the oil rigs. He loved to play ice hockey and also loved to dance, winning several dance contests. Barry often stated he was practically born with ice skates on and stayed passionate and connected to the sport throughout life, including introducing grandkids to the sport. 

In 1961, Barry moved to the U.S. on a permanent visa. When the draft was reinstated, he joined the U. S. Navy. In 1964, he found himself stationed on the USS Cook, headed to Subic Bay, Philippines and then into the war zone of Vietnam. During his time in the Navy, Barry served as a Boiler Tender and Engineman. 

During a return-to-shore in June 1965, through mutual friends, Barry met Shelia Ivy and they soon married on November 27, 1965, at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. In February 1966, Barry received orders for shore duty and on October 11, 1968, Barry was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Navy. 

The young couple then packed up and moved to Waco, TX. to be near Shelia’s family. Barry worked for Central Freight Lines for 13 years, after which he partnered with his father-in-law and brother-in-law to start their own trucking company. Later, Barry worked for CTS-Sherwin Williams as a truck driver for over 25 years with a perfect driving record and received numerous other recognitions along the way. 

Barry and Shelia were blessed with 3 children and 7 grandchildren. They joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 20, 1974. Barry and Shelia have been married 59 years this month. Barry never met a stranger and loved to talk about hockey, cars and his family. He enjoyed spending time with his family teaching his children and grandchildren how to fix and build things. Barry or “Papa” as his grandchildren lovingly called him, loved attending all of the activities that he could. Being present for his family was a priority as well as attending church.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Anne (Nykoluk) Eyers, his in-laws Travis and Johnnie (Porter) Ivy, brothers-in-law, Dennis Fischer and Larry Sellers, Uncles and Aunts, Edwin and Margaret Eyers, Mickey and Kathleen Eyers, Harvey and Colleen Eyers, Michael and Margaret Nykoluk, Joseph and Mary Nykoluk. 

Barry is survived by his loving wife Shelia (Ivy) Eyers, children, Amy (Christopher) Smith, Travis Eyers, Heather (Ryan) Bennett, his grandchildren Mason (Dani) Smith, Bryson Smith, Jackson Smith, Madalyn Bennett, Ethan Bennett, Teegan Smith and Sawyer Bennett. Barry’s brother Doug Eyers, his in-laws Belinda Fischer, Devorah Sellers, Janie Niemeyer and Barrett (Debbie) Ivy as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Barry will be missed by many other family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Barry Eyers. 

Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com 

Place of Service: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints , 7201 Viking Drive; Waco, TX 76710