Born in Dickenson County, VA he was the son of Walter and Lilia Gouge Salyers, who along with a brother Carson Salyers and sister Ailene Martin preceded him in death. Mr. Salyers was a member for over forty years of Rachel Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, and a Veteran of the US Army. Prior to his retirement, he and his wife operated the D & S Market in Clintwood. Surviving are his wife, Royal Ines Stanley Salyers, Coeburn; his daughter Vickie Rae Kennedy and husband Preston "Andy" Kennedy, Kingsport; two brothers Avery Bartley, Abingdon, and Kenneth Salyers, Coeburn; three sisters, Marie Hamilton, Sandusky, OH, Jeannette Sykes, Clintwood, and Oma Jean Hill, Tennessee; a special nephew, Joe C. Salyers and wife Sherry of SC; many other nieces and nephews survive.