Distinguished Alumni
Bill T. Byler
Awarded 2019
With a couple of years at Sam Houston State University and a real estate course under his belt, William T. “Bill” Byler, Jr. purchased his first tract of land and made it his home while pursuing his Bachelor of Science in agriculture business. When he wasn’t competing with the SHSU rodeo team he earned money hauling cattle, leasing roping calves and selling firewood.
Following college, he began work at W. T. Byler Co., a heavy civil and railroad construction company, founded by his father. In 1994, he became vice-president of operations. Today, serving as president and CEO, the company continues to provide high-quality, civil construction for industrial-petrochemical facilities and commercial projects as well as railroad construction and maintenance. Some of the company’s most notable projects are iconic to Houston’s landscape – Sam Houston Race Park, Minute Maid Park, NRG Stadium and Toyota Center to name a few.
Bill’s continued interest in real estate and passion for agriculture led him to form Byler Holdings Company and Byler Ranch Company. The land acquired by Byler Holdings in Austin, Uvalde, Kinney and Pecos counties is essential to the operations of Byler Ranch Company’s cattle operations.
Bill and his wife, Kerri, call Bellville home and are parents to Brenna Byler Smidt, Lynette Byler Parrott and William T. “Will” Byler, III. They enjoy spending time with family, especially their three grandchildren. The family is often found in rodeo arenas across the country supporting their sons-in-law, Caleb Smidt and Rowdy Parrott, who are professional rodeo cowboys. His daughter, Brenna (’13); son-in-law, Caleb (‘12); son, Will (’18) and daughter-in-law, Bailee Ackerman Byler (’18) all graduated from SHSU.
The Bylers are committed to supporting their community through service and gifts to Faith Academy of Bellville, Bellville United Methodist Church, Young Life, Miracle Farm, and numerous other local and national Christian-based organizations. Bill has served as past Board President of Faith Academy, the Youth Rodeo Association and has served on the Executive Board of the Texas High School Rodeo Association. Bill and Kerri are Joint Life Endowed Members of the SHSU Alumni Association and sponsor several university and alumni events. Bill’s appreciation of SHSU’s commitment to agriculture education is evident in the Bylers’ support of the new agriculture facility and scholarship endowments.