Byron Nelson Compton, 88, of rural Hiawatha, Kansas, passed away Friday, April 6, 2012 at the Hiawatha Community Hospital. He was born on September 24, 1923 in Willis, Kansas the son of Harry and Clara Fields Compton. He graduated from Willis High School in 1941. After high school he served in the U.S. Army with the Calvary Division during WW II. After his honorable discharge he returned to the Willis area and started farming and raising livestock. He was a member of the Horton United Methodist Church, American Legion, was a former 4-H leader and was very active with the swine division. Byron was a former Willis High School Board member and had also served on the Willis Telephone Company board. He has served as the Claytonville Cemetery Sexton for many years. Byron enjoyed sports and spending time visiting with his friends along with his good friend Sadie. On October 18, 1944 he married Virginia Rousey in Horton, Kansas. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2001. Survivors include three daughters, Linda Schaefer of Atchison, Kansas, Wanda Burdick of Wetmore, Kansas and Nancy Lambert of rural Hiawatha, Kansas; two sons, Steven Compton and Kevin Compton both of rural Hiawatha, Kansas; two sisters, Justine Willis of Topeka, Kansas and Ruth Ann (Yaussi) Smith of Fort Collins, Colorado; twenty grandchildren and thirty five great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Lloyd Compton and two sisters, Gladys Gigstad and Jean Henry. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Horton, Kansas. The family will greet friends on Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas. Burial with Military Graveside Rites will be at the Claytonville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bryon Compton memorial fund to be designated later and may be sent in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com