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

Former Command Sergeant Major Byars was born on May 19, 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; siblings, Gary Byars, Terry Byars, Mark (Risa) Byars, Chris (Saskia) Byars, Jonathan (Donna) Byars, and Rebecca (Daniel) Smith.

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

Funeral service was held at Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. Family received friends from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Green Acres Memorial Gardens at a later date.

SGM Byars is a native of McMinnville, TN 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, OK.

Duty positions included: 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 included: B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, Fort Drum, NY; A/8/C/ D Company, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, SC; The United States Army Drill Sergeant School, Fort Jackson, SC; 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 included 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 included 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 2007 as a (SSG) Howitzer section chief and in 2005 as a (SGT) gunner. In 2003 he deployed to Afghanistan as a (PFC) Cannoneer.