Randell Allen Byers

December 11, 1949 – July 8, 2026

With hearts full of both sorrow and the hope found in Christ, we announce that Randell Allen Byers, born on December 11, 1949, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Herbert Byers and Hazel (Martin) Byers, entered into the presence of his Savior on July 8, 2026.

On April 14, 1973, he married the love of his life, Lillian Mae (Arnesen) Byers. Together they built a Christ-centered home rooted in faith, love, and service, sharing more than fifty-three years of marriage. They graduated together from Evangel University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Education in 1972, beginning a lifelong calling to invest in the lives of others through education and ministry. He later earned a Master’s Degree from Arizona State University in Special Education followed by a second Master’s Degree in Leisure Studies reflecting his lifelong passion for learning and personal growth.

From 1972 to 1975, he proudly served in the United States Army, serving as a drug and alcohol counselor, stationed at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, then Nuremberg, Germany until moving to Mesa, Arizona in 1975. Following his military service, he devoted his career to education, first serving as a Special Education teacher in the Mesa Public Schools district for 30 years. His patience, compassion, and unwavering belief in the potential of every student made a lasting impact on countless children and families. In 2005, he joined the faculty at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, where he served as a professor until 2011, preparing and encouraging future educators with a passion for special education with wisdom, integrity, and genuine care.

While his professional accomplishments were many, they were never what defined him. Above all else, he loved the Lord Jesus Christ. His faith was the foundation of his life and could be seen in the way he loved, served, and encouraged those around him. He lived each day with the quiet assurance that his true home was in heaven. He was a devoted husband whose steadfast love and faithfulness were evident throughout his marriage. He was a caring father who faithfully led by example, teaching his four daughters not only through his words but through a life of integrity, humility, and unwavering faith. As a grandfather, he found great joy in his grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them. Whether in the classroom, at church, or among friends, he was known for his kindness, gentle spirit, wisdom, and willingness to help others. He had a servant’s heart and leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and lives forever changed by his influence.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lillian Mae Byers; his daughters, Alissa Wisnefske (Matt), Courtney Define (Chris), and Brittany Milstein (Corey); his cherished grandchildren, Reece Rivera, Luca Milstein, Nico Milstein, Sawyer Wisnefske, and Amelia Define; his sister, Martha Hatch; his brother, Melvin Byers; along with many extended family members, dear friends, former students, colleagues, and brothers and sisters in Christ who were blessed to know him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Kristen, and by his parents, Herbert Byers and Hazel (Martin) Byers. While his family deeply grieves his absence, they find great comfort in imagining the joyful reunion now taking place in heaven as he embraces those who have gone before him and, most importantly, stands in the presence of his Savior. Though his absence leaves an immeasurable void, we rejoice in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the students he inspired, and the countless lives he touched through his unwavering faith and faithful service. We look forward to the day when we will see him again—whole, healed, and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at AJ First Assembly of God, 651 N. Ocotillo Drive, Apache Junction, AZ 85120. A viewing will precede the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend as together we celebrate a life well lived and a faith well kept.