Willie James Byrd, Sr.

Sunrise: May 11, 1936   Sunset: May 13, 2025

Willie James Byrd, Sr., also known as, "Byrd”, age 89, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was born on May 11, 1936, in Goshen, Alabama to Willie Andrew Byrd and Bertha Mae Clax.

Willie was a Concrete Business owner for more than fifty years and took great pride in his work. He was a legend in the community, and never met a stranger. He was greatly respected and loved by many. Willie loved to cook and entertain for family and friends, watch The Maury Povich Show, eat, sleep and crack jokes. He will truly be missed.

Tuesday Morning, May 13, 2025, the Lord relieved him from the burdens of this world and called him home. He will forever be Loved and missed by the family and friends he left behind, but will be received by those who preceded him in death: his father, Willie A. Byrd and his mother Bertha Mae Clax; his wife, Irene Sheffield-Byrd; sons, Willie James Byrd, Jr. and James Edward McDonald; daughters, Amy Farrior and Edith Campbell; as well as, long time Companion, Racine Rouse.

Memories of Willie will forever be cherished by his children: sons, Willie Lee Byrd, Willie Charles Thompson, Timothy Sheffield, Darwin Bragman and Donnie Sheffield; daughters, Brenda Thompson, Janice Thompson, Vanessa Tucker, Katherine  Smiley and Antionette Bridges; brothers, William “Jr.” Byrd, David Byrd, Luke Byrd and Leroy Blunt; sisters, Amanda Byrd–Madlock, Sarah Byrd, and Mary Moody; and sister-In-law, Myrtle Brantley. He had a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and family and friends; too numerous to name.

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