Byron Landiss Graves

Byron Landiss Graves passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Waco, Texas, at the age of 60.

He will lie in state from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at New Road Church of Christ, with Alan Ritchie and Charlie Thomason officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at College Station Cemetery in College Station, Texas.

Byron was born in Lubbock, Texas, on May 26, 1965, to James B. “Buddy” and Carolyn (Landiss) Graves. When he was five years old, he moved with his parents to Amarillo, Texas, where he developed a deep appreciation for the cold Panhandle winters. In 1979, the family relocated to Woodway, Texas. Byron graduated from Midway High School in 1984 and went on to attend Texas A&M University, earning a degree in education and history in 1989.

After college, Byron worked for a bank in Houston for two years before beginning an 18-year career with Shell Chemical, where he was based in downtown Houston.

Throughout his life, Byron faced several health challenges—two of them life-threatening. Through God’s grace, he overcame both, though the treatments left lasting effects on his health.

Byron had an outgoing personality and a genuine love for people. He had a deep faith in God and was devoted to his church family at New Road Church of Christ. Although his health limited his ability to attend in recent months, his connection to the congregation remained strong.

He was preceded in death by his father, James B. “Buddy” Graves.

He is survived by his mother, Carolyn Graves of Woodway; his aunt and uncle, Janice and Bill Landiss of Giddings, Texas; his aunt, Gail Segers of Houston; several cousins; and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Road Church of Christ Youth Fund, 3100 S. New Rd., Waco, TX 76706.

We invite you to share a message or memory of Byron in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.