Byron Lloyd Nice

Byron Lloyd Nice, 94, of Durham, NC went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 11, 2024. He was the son of the late Byron L Nice and Blanche Talbot Nice. He was born in his parent’s home in Denbigh, VA. He grew up in a happy, loving, Christian home. As he grew, he became active in the Warwick River Mennonite Church. He attended local schools until his senior year, when he attended Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, VA. After high school, he worked at the Colony Farms Dairy in the Denbigh area. He later worked in construction, focusing on plastering and dry wall work. When he was in his early 20’s, he met and married the love of his life, Nettie Rebekah Zook. She was from Canby, OR and had moved East to teach in the Warwick River Mennonite Church School. They had four children, all in Virginia. In 1961 he attended Eastern Mennonite College where he earned a B.S. in Science. He moved his family to Durham, NC in 1974 to help with a new church, the Durham Mennonite Church. At this time, he began teaching science at Hillside High School. He taught there until he retired in 1994. In retirement he continued to be active in the Durham Mennonite Church and Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed gardening, fixing cars, and traveling with his family. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. 

Lloyd is survived by his sons: Joseph Hessnice and wife Sally of Graham; Dr. Keith Nice and wife Tami of Graham; and Kevin Nice and wife Marcia of Durham. He is also survived by his daughter, Carol Detweiler and husband Glenn of Durham. In addition, he is survived by his brother-in-law, Leo Zook and wife Mim of Oregon, and his sisters-in-law Erma Yoder of Goshen, IN and Mary Lou Vrolijk of Harrisonburg, VA. His surviving grandchildren include: Dr. Byron Detweiler of Oklahoma City, OK; Rachel Lopez and her husband Emilio of Oklahoma City, OK; Joanna Nice of Raleigh; Jonathan Nice of Chapel Hill; Luke Hessnice of Kissimmee, FL; Leah Hessnice of Graham; Jacob Nice of Burlington; and Andrew Nice of Graham. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister Louise Vrolijk and husband Dirk, his brother Frank Nice and wife Evelyn, his sisters-in-law Sandy Zook and Sarah Ann Newcomer, and his brother-in-law Bill Yoder. 

Friends and family are welcome to visit at the Hudson Funeral Home, 211 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703 on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be held at the Durham Mennonite Church 603 Lynn Rd., Durham, NC at 1 PM on Sunday, October 20. 2024. 

Donations may be made to the Durham Mennonite Church, 603 Lynn Road, Durham, NC 27703 (durhammennonite.org), The Mennonite Central Committee (mcc.org), or the Mennonite Board of Missions (mennonitemission.net).