William Randall Byars

William Randall Byars, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, December 28, 2011, after a lengthy illness. He was born April 8, 1935 to the late William Bolling (Buddy) Byars and Billie C. Smith Byars of Alma, Arkansas. Randy, as all friends knew him, grew up in Alma, Arkansas. He left high school before his senior year to attend Arkansas Tech. He then transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and eventually went to LSU where he graduated with a major in music. Randy was working towards his goal of being a concert pianist. But his path quickly changed direction when in his 2nd year in college he went on a trip to Chicago to the decorative market with his uncle Jerry Byars, a prominent Little Rock interior designer. He became convinced that interior design was the profession for him. Randy enrolled in the military after college and served three years in Heidelberg, Germany attached to the Chaplin's office. Working for Chaplin David Kensler who became a lifelong friend. His job was to escort VIP visitors one of which was the Countess Gozzi the owner of the Fortuny fabric factory in Venice. The two became great friends often visiting her in Venice and New York. After his military time he stayed an extra year traveling Europe before returning to the states living in New York. "When I returned to the states I began working for Dan Cooper Design Corp., and I basically ran the business. I was a green country bumpkin, and what I didn't know I made up." Then Mr. Cooper opened in Washington D.C. on DuPont Circle and Randy went with him and worked on the Embassy of Iran which he described as hard work and very scary, but it ended up being great. After two years in Washington Randy returned to Arkansas. He joked that he was headed to California and ended up in Little Rock. He moved into the Baucum House on Izard Street and opened W. Randall Byars Interiors in 1963. Randy was a man of few words: however, his eyes, bright and entertaining spoke of his wisdom and experience. Through his long design career, he touched many lives of his clients making their houses and their lives beautiful and at the same time gaining many devoted friends along the way, in some cases working for three generations of the same families. Randall was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. He was a member of the Governor's Mansion Commission and was privileged to work with four of Arkansas's Governors during his tenure. He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church where he served on the columbarium committee. He is survived by his wife of 34 years Janice Parsons Byars, his sister Gerogianna McKown and husband Conrad, a sister-in-law Ann Byars of Fort Smith, and three nephews Joe Dan Byars, Blake Byars, and Andrew Byars all of Fort Smith. He is also predeceased by a brother Joe Dan Byars. There will be memorial funeral service Tuesday January 3, 2012 at 1 p.m in St. Mark's Episcopal Church followed by burial of cremains in the church garden, officiated by The Reverend Danny Schieffler, and The Reverend Lisa Fry. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 North Mississippi Street, Little Rock, 72205. A celebration of Randy's life will be held at his residence at 5 p.m. following the funeral service. All his friends are welcome.