Marshall Lee Byford

Marshall L. Byford, beloved husband, father, grand-father and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, February 12 at the age of 86.

Lee was born on July 26, 1925 in Comanche Springs (near McGregor, Texas) the son of the late Gaston and Odessa (Rhoads) Byford. He graduated from McGregor High School in 1942. He married Barbara Mae Foster at a pastor’s home on May 19, 1950.

Lee or “Pinky” enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on July 22, 1943 and served as an aerial tail gunner on a B-24 heavy bomber in the 484th Bomb Group, 827th Bomb Squadron, 15th Air Force. On April 25, 1945, his plane, “Sleepless Knight”, was shot down by Germans over Linz, Austria. Pinky and his crew were flying toward Russian lines when two engines on their B-24 ran out of fuel. All the crew survived the crash landing and were rescued by Russians. Afterwards, the crew traveled to a southern Italian port aboard a British freighter and from there Lee returned to the United States.

Lee was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal replete with three bronze stars to honor his 1944 – 1945 participation in the WWII Rome-Arno; Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns; the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight; a Victory medal commemorating his military service and a Good Conduct Medal awarded for three consecutive years of “honorable and faithful service.”

After the end of the war, Lee returned to Waco, Texas where as “Red”, he worked at General Tire for 40 years. While an employee of General Tire, he attended Baylor University for a few years.

Lee will be remembered as a good and loving husband, father, grand-father and loyal friend.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years; daughters Diane Russell; Janie Smith and husband Bill; son Edwin and wife Carol; a sister Allene Gatlin and six grand-children.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Waco Habitat for Humanity; Scott & White Hospice or Harris Creek Cemetery.

Funeral Service

11AM ,Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712

Visitation

6 - 8PM ,Monday, February 13, 2012
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712