InstantForum.NET v4.1.3LeatherneckNationhttp://www.leathernecknation.com/DoNotReply@leathernecknation.comTue, 07 Sep 2010 03:16:02 GMT20http://www.leathernecknation.com/Topic7358-15-1.aspxI knew Joe from working in the SID depart while at Western. He was a fierce player and even better guy. Had a few conversations with him at Walts's Office during study breaks!<img align="absmiddle" src="http://www.leathernecknation.com/Skins/LeatherneckNation/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin">Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:29:04 GMTLeatherCyhttp://www.leathernecknation.com/Topic7358-15-1.aspx[quote]<b>Neckfansince71 (3/7/2010)</b><hr noshade size="1" class="hr">I bumped into Joe Byrne a number of times at WIU. His first wife, was one of my wife's sorority sisters and so that placed us together at a couple of social events. I also had him in a couple of my classes. Definitely a class guy all the way and will be missed. My wife and I went to the Journal Star and looked at the Guest Book. A number of football names from that era popped up including Coach Westen, John Passanetti, and Paul Cesaretti. Was he sick or was this something sudden like a heart attack?<br><br><br>[/quote]<br><br>It appears to be an accidental shooting while he was cleaning a shotgun. Joe was a big hunter and fisherman.Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:06:16 GMTWIU BB 31http://www.leathernecknation.com/Topic7358-15-1.aspxI bumped into Joe Byrne a number of times at WIU. His first wife, was one of my wife's sorority sisters and so that placed us together at a couple of social events. I also had him in a couple of my classes. Definitely a class guy all the way and will be missed. My wife and I went to the Journal Star and looked at the Guest Book. A number of football names from that era popped up including Coach Westen, John Passanetti, and Paul Cesaretti. Was he sick or was this something sudden like a heart attack?<br><br>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:20:08 GMTNeckfansince71http://www.leathernecknation.com/Topic7358-15-1.aspxFormer WIU linebacker Joe Byrne passed away last Wednesday. I believe he still holds a couple of tackle records. I think he played from about 1974 to 1978. Maybe some of our more senior members may have known Joe. He was from Lockport.<br><br>He had coached and taught at Bartonville Limestone for the past 31 years. He was a wonderful man and a very good friend and will be truly missed. Good ol' number 59.Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:06:05 GMTWIU BB 31