Bill Byrd

Mr. William E. “Bill” Byrd, Jr. 71, husband of Margie Broache Byrd and a resident of ‘Byrd’s Folly’ on Folly Creek, Accomac, VA, passed away at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Born May 30, 1947, and a native of Norfolk, VA, he was a son of the late Dr. William E. Byrd and Elsye Yates Byrd.  Bill attended Randolph-Macon College until he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He proudly served three tours in Vietnam, and two years in Thailand.  He always said he would have remained in the military, but was homesick for his beloved ‘Byrd’s Folly’ on the creek.

After returning from overseas, he started a career as a fire fighter with the City of Norfolk, remaining there for seventeen years.  His desire to complete his college degree that he began prior to the Air Force, came to fruition, receiving his BS Degree in English, from University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES).  Upon graduating, Bill began his third career as a Middle School English Teacher with the Accomack County Public School System, from where he retired after twelve years.

In addition to his wife, survivors include four children, William E. Byrd III of California, PA, Austin T. Byrd and wife Vera, of Norfolk, VA, Bentley Y. Byrd of Virginia Beach, VA, and Elizabeth A. Phillips of Richmond, VA; a grandson, Alexander Austin Byrd; a sister, Sarah Jane Byrd of Beaufort, SC; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by a brother, George Bentley Byrd.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., at Grace United Methodist Church in Parksley, with The Reverends Alan Layman and Martin Bagay officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 540, Accomac, VA  23301.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.

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