Byron Wayne “Square” Neal

Byron Wayne “Square” Neal, 94, of Rockdale went to his heavenly home on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple.

A funeral ser v ice was held at Friday, Jan. 26, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Pastor Timothy Stephens officiating. Burial followed in Oak Lawn Cemetery.

Mr. Neal was born on July 17, 1929, to John Byron and Ruth (Hollowell) Neal in Rockdale, the youngest of four siblings.

After graduation from Rockdale High School in 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in Korea until he was honorably discharged in 1954.

On June 1, 1982, he married the love of his life, Alma Neal. To this union, Wayne gained three stepdaughters, Virginia, Carol and Debbie.

Wayne was employed with J.E. Lagrone Road Contractor before entering the Marines and upon his return, and then he worked for E.E. Hood & Son Road Contractor. He then went to Industrial Generating Company, where he served as a dozer and drag line operator and a pit boss until his retirement in 1985.

Wayne was a cattleman and rancher for many years.

He was a member of the Milam County Cowboy Church, the VFW, and the Rockdale Roping Club.

He enjoyed football, country music, and roping.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Ruth Neal; sisters Doris Gebhart, Inez Walker and Evelyn Weiser; son-inlaw Wilburn Dyer; granddaughter Kimberly Dyer; and nephew, Johnny Gebhart and Gary Walker.

Survivors are his wife of 41 years, Alma Neal; daughters Virginia Stevens and husband Rodney, Carol Barnett and husband James, Debbie Knoblock and husband Will; grandchildren Jeremy Stevens, Chloe Kendzior and husband Paul, Bradley Dyer and wife De Ana, Jaime Dyer and Joseph Ramirez, Branon Knoblock and Tracy Knoblock; as well as many great-step-grandchildren.