Joe was born April 26, 1940, in Asheboro, North Carolina to the late Odell Sides Byerly and Perry Ruth Swicegood Byerly. He married Betsy Jean Clodfelter on December 27, 1960 in Charleston, SC and they were married until her death on February 2, 2011. Joe loved golf, boating, and antiques. He was an expert in Southern American Furniture and had a passion for Kentucky long rifles. He was offered a director's position for Tryon Palace in New Bern,NC as a young adult and was a founding member of The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Art in Old Salem, NC. His knowledge was sought by many a collector and museum and was also called upon during the filming of several historical movies.
He traveled throughout Europe and was a major importer of European antiques for approximately 50 years. The treasures filled 42,000 square ft. at Byerly's Antiques on Highway 85 on the southside of Greensboro. The business was started by his parents in 1937 and he took over after leaving Wake Forest University. Under his leadership, Joe and Betsy turned Byerly's Antiques into one of the largest and most diverse resources for designers and collectors alike in the United States.
Surviving are one daughter, Katherine Byerly Laramore (John) and one son, David Todd Byerly (Susan) also family by choice, Marlis Wilcox.
A Celebration of Joe's life will be held on Saturday January 6, 2024 at 2pm in Sechrest-Davis Funeral Home Chapel. Family will be receiving guest after the service. Memorials may be directed to The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Art. Online condolences may be made at Sechrestdavisphillipsavenue.com
