FRANKLIN
Ken Byerly, former editor of The Tidewater News in the late 50s and early 60s, and brother of longtime publisher Hanes Byerly, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Byerly won many awards from the Virginia Press Association during his time as editor at the newspaper. The honors were in categories of editorial, news, features and sports writing.

“He covered a lot of sports while he worked in Franklin and was always organizing something for the community,” his friend Dean Wagonback of Franklin said.

Another friend of Byerly, Sheldon “Moose” Kelly of Chesapeake said, “He was a character as a young man, full of mischief and delight. He always had high spirits, and he brought that high spirit to Franklin in those days.”

Byerly was known for the adventurous life he led.

“We would go hiking, skiing, camping and to baseball games over the weekends,” Wagonback said.

Byerly was also acknowledged for his love of literature.

“He was one of the last literary romantics,” Kelly added.

They both said he lived a great life and he will be missed.