Byron “Red” Schilling died peacefully on Dec. 14, 2017, at the age of 93.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m., until the time of the funeral service at noon.

A graveside service will be conducted immediately following the funeral at Hillview Memorial Gardens also located in Bogalusa with the Rev. Marcus Rosa officiating.

He is survived by sons, Jim Schilling and wife Henrietta, Mike Schilling and wife Debbie; daughter, Lisa Schilling; grandchildren, James Schilling and wife Effie, Scott Schilling and wife Laura, Laura Schilling Kintner and husband Bryant, Michael Schilling and wife Abbie; great-grandchildren, William James, Andrew Carter, Theodore (Teddy) Byron, Eleanor (Ellie) Lynn and Lucille (Lucy) Rose Schilling.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Carter Schilling; parents, Albert and Alma Miller Schilling; and brothers, Jake and Ronald Schilling.

Born on Jan. 15, 1924 in Mt. Hermon, Byron graduated from Mt. Hermon High School in 1940 at the young age of 16 and left his beloved hometown to make his mark on the world. Byron was a World War II veteran, having served in the Third Army under General Patton. He was honorably discharged from service in 1944 and returned to Bogalusa.

He spoke fondly of working at the Mill Commissary in the early days until it burned down and then he worked at the Wood Scales. It was at the Scales that he earned the nickname “Red” for his auburn locks and sometimes fiery temper! He moved into management and retired from Crown Zellerbach, Southern Timber Division as Wood Buyer for the Southern Region in 1982.

Byron loved the outdoors as evidenced by his gardening skills, which won him First Place in Washington Parish for Large Gardens in 1985. He also had a large fruit orchard as well with blueberries, apples, pears, figs and muscadines along with pecans. He loved to share his bounty of vegetables and fruits with family and friends.

Most of all, he loved his family and was faithful to his church and support of Christian faith. He retired as a Deacon from Westside in 2009 and was moved to Deacon Emeritus Status after serving 44 years. He was active in the church as a Sunday School Teacher and served on numerous committees to include Finance, Personnel, Trustee, etc. He thought of Westside as his second home and loved the church members as an extended family.

The family wishes to thank care providers Rachel Geary, Victoria French, Charlotte Arceneaux, Nina Sistrunk, Barbara Williams, Amanda Kerry, Susan Martin, John Gulczynski and the rest of the Southeast Home Care staff for the care and love shown to their father in his home. Thanks also to the Intensive Care Unit Staff at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital for their compassionate care during his last days.

Additionally, the family would like to recognize their pastor, Marcus Rosa, and their loving church family at Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church for their constant prayers and support.