Byron Louis Difani, 57, of Batesville, AR, died on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Byron was born on June 2, 1965, in St. Louis, MO, to the late Herman Louis Difani and Shirley Ann (Robbins) Difani. He was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, and principal; and his God-given ability to impact the lives of everyone he met will be felt for generations to come. Byron will be dearly missed and forever loved.
Byron is preceded in death by his grandmother, Elizabeth Difani; his parents, Herman and Shirley Difani; his father-in-law, Duane McGhee; and his sister-in-law Kristina McGhee. He is survived by the love of his life, and his wife of over 36 years, Stephanie (McGhee) Difani; his mother-in-law, Joan McGhee; his sons, Brett Difani (Tiffany) and Blake Difani (Jessica); his grandchildren, Braxton and Beckham Difani (Brett’s sons), and Bennett Difani (Blake’s son); his 3 brothers, Curt Difani, Derrick Difani, and Robert King; his sister, Kim Kelly; 2 nephews that were like sons to Byron, Brennen Rush (Tabitha) and Braidon Rush (Courtney); and several other nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Byron was of the Christian faith and was a member of The Church of God in Batesville. His faith was evident in his passion to serve others. In his younger years, Byron served as a youth camp director and a regional youth leader. He loved to share and teach the Gospel and was a minister for 14 years.
Byron would, eventually, go on to earn his master’s degree in educational leadership at Arkansas State University. Byron continued to live out his passion for educating the next generation by becoming a 4th-grade teacher at Pocahontas and then Beebe before moving to Batesville and becoming an administrator in the Batesville School District. Some of Byron’s hobbies included deer hunting, playing disc golf, and watching sports, especially baseball. Byron was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Byron truly had a servant’s heart. He genuinely loved educating and helping children.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 4:30 pm until 7:30 pm at the Willis Funeral Service Chapel. Byron’s funeral service, officiated by Bro. Keith Tyler, will be held at Compass Church in Batesville on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 10 am. Burial will be at Cotton Creek Cemetery in Couch, MO on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 4 pm. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be: Travis Robbins, Mark Hall, Johnny Belew, Hunter Eads, Gus Wisdom, and Kord Simpson. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Byron Difani Memorial Scholarship Fund located at Centennial Bank.
