Billy Dean Byrd

Billy Dean Byrd was born to Oma and Floyd Byrd on the 4th of October 1948 in Purcell, McLain, Oklahoma, USA.

He spent most of his youth in Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma where he, his father, and brother were talented masons and farmers.

Billy was selected in the lottery four times during the Vietnam War and finally sent to by the Army to guard nuclear missiles in Germany for a year. It was a very hostile time for the men.

He had a great taste for travel after Germany and was an independent and gentle soul. He built steel mills in Nebraska and North Carolina. He erected cranes on Mobile Bay, Virginia Beach, and Maine. He worked as a welder in New York, New Hampshire, and Bangor, Maine.

In 1986, he was the ranch manager for a multimillion-dollar show and racehorses. He tended the horses, the facilities, and the pastures. One day a woman teaching about the Seventh Day Adventist religion was visiting the ranch owner. Billy overheard the conversation and followed the faith right down to Florida.

He became a deacon at the Cocoa Church. Beverly’s best friend had been talking her up for months to him and talking him up to her at work. Finally, they were lured to dinner together. And that was that. He later told her he fell in love with her that very night.

The rest of the story . . . they married on the 17th of April 1992. They share their love for their Lord, and the children, caring for and helping others. Bill was an incredibly loved man who was passionate about helping others and would do anything for anyone. He even worked tirelessly caring for his mother-in-law during her last years.

They lived on their farm south of Apopka before moving to Newport, Tennessee to join their children after Beverly’s mother died.

Billy died on Wednesday, May 22nd at 5 pm in the presence of his God and his loving wife Beverly at their new home in Newport, Tennessee. He was 75 years of age. He died of adenocarcinoma of the lung. He was only diagnosed the prior Tuesday.

Billy’s services will be on Wednesday, May 29 at 2 pm at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Dandridge, TN, USA. 

Billy and Beverly support St Jude Children's Research Hospital Foundation or Disabled American Veterans and encourage you to do so in lieu of flowers.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy Dean Byrd, please visit our floral store.