William Timothy Byrd Sr.

William Timothy Byrd Sr. (“Tim”), 90, of Raleigh passed away Monday, January 25, 2016 at Brighton Gardens of Raleigh. He was born April 5, 1925 in Sampson County, NC, a son of Willie and Celestial Massey Byrd. He was married to Betty Faye Davis until her death in July 2012. Betty and Tim moved to Cary in 1965 where they raised their sons, and Tim resided there until moving to Brighton Gardens Raleigh in October 2015.

Tim was also preceded in death in 2012 by his brother Joe Dan Byrd and sister Daisy Byrd Smith, and previously by his infant brother Wade.

Surviving are his sons, Stephen Timothy (and wife, Sandra) Byrd of Raleigh, and William Timothy (and wife, Theresa) Byrd Jr. of Greensboro; and grandchildren, Rachel, Davis, Kelly, and Chris. Also surviving are a sister-in-law Virginia Byrd, a niece Pamela Smith Brown, and nephews Patrick Byrd and Willie Byrd and their families.

Tim was a decorated combat veteran of World War II, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant while serving in the 36 Armored Infantry Regiment of the Third Armored Division. He served in the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, and Belgium campaigns during 1944 and 1945, before being wounded in action in April 1945 and thereafter recovering in military hospitals over the ensuing ten months. Tim received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, and four Bronze Battle Stars.

After the war, Tim worked as an Insurance Claims Representative until his retirement from a subsidiary of Barclays, and remained self-employed in that profession until age 75. Tim was a solid example of the “Greatest Generation”, serving his country and returning to devote his life to his wife, family, business, church and community. Blessed with a deeply rooted faith, he loved deeply and trusted God in facing down fears and challenges.

He was a member of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary for 50 years, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and other capacities as needed. Tim served as a youth basketball coach for several years in the Cary recreational leagues, receiving Coach of the Year honors. He also was an active member of The Kiwanis Club of Cary for many years.

The family expresses its sincerest thanks to Tim’s wonderful caregivers and staff at Brighton Gardens of Raleigh and previously at Waltonwood of Cary. You know Tim valued the care you gave him and your friendship once he began to take credit for training you!

Visitation will be at 2 p.m. and a funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary. Burial will be in Raleigh Memorial Park in Raleigh.

The family suggests Memorials be made to Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County) or otherwise to a charity of your choice.

www.brownwynnecary.com.