By Scott Harvey
Commerce – A visitation is scheduled from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday for longtime civic leader Winford Blake Dyer, of Commerce, who died Friday at the age of 83.
Dyer graduated from Training School in 1944 and earned his bachelor's degree from East Texas State Teachers College in 1949. He served one year in the United States Navy.
Dyer was dedicated to giving back to the community, serving as president of the Commerce Kiwanis Club, acted as president of the Chamber of Commerce, was twice awarded Citizen of the Year by the Commerce Chamber of Commerce, served on the Board of Directors for Region 10 Education Center, and was the president of the Commerce Economic Development Association for over 20 years.
He helped develop the Commerce Municipal Airport, and served on the Commerce Water Board which built a pipeline from Lake Tawakoni to ensure water availability to the community. In 1996, he was instrumental in the formation of and served as chairman of the Northeast Texas Rural Transportation District (NETEX) which acquired railroad track to maintain railway service to industries in Commerce, Greenville, and Sulphur Springs.
He was passionate about attracting new businesses and jobs to Commerce and believed strongly that the railroad could be a part of the city's future. He continually supported education as a member of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Foundation since its formation.
Winford is survived by sons: Brent and wife Melissa, Don and wife Sandra; and daughter Cynthia Dyer Quick and husband Andrew Quick; grandchildren Blake Dyer and Anna Dyer. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Katherine.
Monday's visitation will take place at Jones-Walker and Son Funeral Home at 1209 Live Oak Street. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 10th, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, ommerce followed by internment at Rosemound Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Attention: Development Department, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX or via their web site http://community.tsrhc.org.