Benjamin R. Byrd

1925 – 2011

Benjamin R. Byrd, passed away Saturday, January 01, 2011. Ben passed away peacefully in “Palliative” care.

Ben was born in Enterprise, Alabama to Bennie and Clara T. Byrd. Ben moved to Marianna, Florida when he was 12 or 13 years old. As a kid growing up, he had a paper route and collected old, old cars. He loved to fish and hunt. The “Chipols” river was his favorite place to fish.

When World War II started he was very anxious to go fight for his country. He got his father to sign for him as he was only 17 years old. He was in the middle of the English Channel on a 3 story hospital ship—watching “D Day”. Ben was on Utah Beach which was close to Omaha Beach, on “D Day”, plus he climbed down a 3 story rope ladder with a 50 lb. backpack. A lot of young men never made it, they were too scared and fell into the water and drowned. From the beach he went through “Hedgerow” country where there were fierce battles. He was at Bastogne , later he was in the “Battle of the Bulge”, the coldest winter on record, without sufficient winter clothing. He was on the front lines for six months, when a mortar shell hit and killed all eleven men in his platoon. He barely survived. He later helped liberate a “death camp” which was unbelievable. At the end of the war he was in the Alps of Bavaria. The people in the village were starving and he was ordered to take some young men and kill deer so they could feed the villagers who were starving, later he came home. He was twice decorated with the Purple Heart, Sharp Shooter Award and others.

Ben met his wife on Christmas Eve 1945. His two sisters, Mavis and Dolly brought him down to meet her. We had a wonderful courtship and married September 14, 1947. I will miss him very much, but will look forward to seeing him someday. He was a rare man of many talents!

Ben is preceded in death by his son, Rodney (Kenny) Byrd.

He leaves behind his devoted wife of sixty-three years, Lorraine Byrd; two sons, Richard Byrd and Ronald Byrd; three sisters, Evelyn Scott, Mavis Gibson and Mildred “Dolly” Seay; four granddaughters, Lora Baker, Rachel Vasquez, Jessica Reiser and Leslie Byrd; two great grandsons, Zackary Baker and Brenan Vasquez; two great granddaughters, Madlyn Vasquez and Arizona Lorraine Guillroy.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.

EASTERN GATE MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be offered at www.easterngatememorial.com.