SGM Michael Chance Byars

Michael Chance Byars, age 43, of Fort Campbell, KY, passed away at his home on August 16, 2025.

Former Command Sergeant Major Byars was born on May 19th, 1982, in Nashville, TN, son of Frank Dwight Byars and Martha Linnie (Peavyhouse) Byars.

He loved his children, his mother and extended family. Chance was a wonderful son, single father, and soldier, He was a good man with a good heart. Chance had a sense of humor and was generous, kind, and thoughtful. He loved the 4th of July and Thanksgiving because they were times with family and friends. Chance loved Titans and tailgating. He loved his cats. He was a dedicated soldier. The world is a sadder place without him. He will always be in our hearts.

He is survived by his children, Bryanna Byars and Gabriel Byars; and siblings, Gary Byars, Terry Byars, Mark Byars (Risa), Chris Byars (Saskia), Jonathan Byars (Donna), and Rebecca Smith (Daniel).

Chance is preceded in death by his father, Frank Dwight Byars; and brother, Anthony Byars.

Funeral service will be held at Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 AM prior to the service. Burial will take place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens at a later date.

SGM Byars is a native of McMinnville, Tennessee and enlisted in the Army in May 2002. He attended One Station Unit Training for 13B, Cannon Crewmember, D Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Duty positions include: Advance Party Man, Number One Man, Howitzer Driver, Ammunition Vehicle Driver, Assistant Gunner, Gunner, Ammunition Team Chief, Chief of Section, Ammunition Section Chief, Gunnery Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant Leader, First Sergeant, Senior Military Instructor, Capability Development Integration Directorate (CDID) SGM, Operations SGM, and Battalion CSM.

Assignments include: B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, Fort Drum, NY; A/8/C/ D Company, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; The United States Army Drill Sergeant School, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; B Battery, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery (Light), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); A Battery, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery (Light), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), HHS, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery (Light), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); Weber State University ROTC; Fires CDID, Fires Center of Excellence.

SGM Byars' military and civilian education includes all NCOES courses through the Sergeants Major Academy. Other military schools include The United States Army Drill Sergeant School, AIT Platoon Sergeant School, Master Fitness Trainer, Master Resilience Trainer, Equal Opportunity, SHARP, Unit Prevention Leader, Air Assault School, Pathfinder along with several others. He completed his BA in Psychology from Ashford University.

Awards:

Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon with numeral "5", Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Driver's Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

Deployments:

While stationed at Fort Drum, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery. SGM Byars deployed to Iraq in 20070906 as a (SSG) Howitzer Section Chief and in 20050101 as a (SGT) Gunner. In 20030901 he deployed to Afghanistan as a (PFC) Cannoneer.