Obituary of Floyd P. Dyer

Floyd “Ples” Dyer, 84 of Upper Deerfield Township passed away at home on January 11, 2025. He had been in declining health since the loss of his son, Mike in 2022. Floyd was born in Earling, W.V and was the son of the late Oscar Dyer and Anges Dyer (nee Angles) and was the husband of Alberta Dyer (nee Hildreth) since 1964. A Bridgeton area resident since 1958, Floyd worked for Chrysler in Delaware beginning at the age of 18, Coca-Cola and spent most of his working years as a warehouse manager and purchasing agent for B.W. Stetson Co where he retired. Floyd is most well known for his musical talents and the footprints he made in the music industry, as well as the lives he touched with his fun and caring personality. Being the son of a coal miner, most of the activities enjoyed by families centered around church, and he had a deep religious upbringing that remained in his heart, and in his music. His mother was his only teacher and always said “God gave me the talent to do the rest”. He learned to play piano on all black keys and could never read music. If he heard it, he could play it. Floyd was one of those talents that will never be duplicated. His first gig was a pianist for an all-girl quartet in West Virginia. From there, he graced and shared the stages with entertainers such as Charlie Daniels where they met in Thule, Greenland performing for the U.S Air Force in the 60’s, Mickey Gilley, Chucky Berry, Fats Domino, K.T. Oslin, Ronnie Milsap, and many more. But his heart was being with his local fans. From the Hamilton Hotel, Chicken Coop, Bear’s Den, Eugenes, Country Palace, Babe’s Village Inn and many local events like the annal Rosenhayn and Immaculate Conception chicken BBQ’s. Floyd’s love and light was always his family, but he also had another family, his musician family. He played in several local bands including Ivan Sexton and the Chicken Coopers, the Jaguars, Just Country, Willin Band, Country Drifters, Southern Country, Floyd & Friends and his longest run of 22 years with the In High Gear Band. In addition to his wife Alberta, he is survived by; his daughter, Tracy Hampton (Bobby) of Upper Deerfield; stepdaughter, Kathleen Rizzo of Pittsgrove; Daughter-n-law Susan Davidson; Grandchildren, Carl M. Tozer, Anthony Rizzo and Brianna Lincks; and two sisters, Freda Burgess and MaryLea Betz. He was predeceased by; his son, Michael Dyer, brothers Ernest L. Dyer and Ezra “Buddy” Dyer; sister, Myrtle Keen; and his stepdaughter Kathleen's husband, Anthony Rizzo who recently passed away in December 2024. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 NOON on Sunday, January 19th, at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. Friends will be received at the funeral home 9AM to 12 NOON prior to the services. Interment will take place at Laurel Lawn Cemetery in Upper Deerfield Twp. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Upper Deerfield Volunteer Fire Station #33 – 69 Cornwell Drive, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. The piano man, has left the stage…