Bill Byrd

WEAVERVILLE – Bill Byrd, age 86, of Weaverville, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

Mr. Byrd was born August 8, 1935, in Rockdale County, Georgia to the late Floyd and Doris Piper Byrd; he was a native of Covington, Georgia.  Bill served in the US Army 1958-1964.  He earned rank of Specialist E-5; served in Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas as well as eighteen months in South Korea – Labor NCO, served in 3rd Army Honor Guard for six months upon returning to the US.  Bill was employed in the furniture business, Home Furniture from 1959-1968; General Manager for Sterchi Furniture for 23 years in Forrest Park, GA, Cleveland, TN, Gaffney, SC and Asheville-Hendersonville, NC from 1978-1986.  Heilig-Meyers purchased Sterchi and he was with them from 1986 until his retirement in 1998.  Bill was active in several civic organizations.  He was president of the Rotary Club in Gaffney, SC; a member of the Rotary Club in North Carolina; Vice President and Board Member of the American Red Cross; President of the Merchant’s Association and was instrumental in the beginning of the Peach Festival in Gaffney SC and a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Gaffney. Bill was an active member of West Asheville Baptist Church where he served as deacon, usher and was on various committees; he previously attended First Baptist Church of Weaverville. 

He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather (known as G-Daddy) to his grandkids and was a very humble and faithful servant of Jesus Christ.  Bill will be greatly missed by all.  He was truly a “southern gentleman” and was loved and respected for his kindness and gentle spirit.  Most assuredly he will hear Jesus say, “well done, my good and faithful servant, welcome home.”

He is preceded in death by his previous wife of 48 years and mother of his children, Molly Mitcham Byrd who died in 2006; and brother, Jimmy Byrd. 

Surviving is his wife, Betty Honeycutt Reece Byrd; daughters, Melanie Dowdle of Asheville; Melissa Metcalf and husband Mike of Weaverville; son, Mike Byrd and wife Karen of Weaverville; sister-in-law Ginger Byrd; cousin, Diane Bentley (whom he loved like a sister); step-children, Stacie Robinson and husband Jimmy; Scott Reece and wife Crystal; eleven grandchildren, Hunter, Skylar and Taylor Dowdle, James Metcalf   and wife Maddie, Seth Phillips, Audrey Byrd, Jared Reece  and wife Nicolle, Jordan Reece, Anna Grace Reece, Isaiah and Micah Robinson; great grandchildren, Jayce Dowdle and his mother, Fallon Molony, and Eleanor Rae Reece; and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m.  Friday, April 1, 2022, at West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville. Rev.’s Dr. Stan Welch, Ken Lewis, Scott Reece and Johnny Byrd will officiate. The burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Green Hills Cemetery, 25 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville. 

The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Grandsons will serve as Pallbearers.  Honorary Pallbearers will be men from Fishers of Men Sunday School Class along with Mike Matthews, Chuck Milner, Rex Fisher, Mike Fisher, Phil McKinney and Pete Henley.

The family would like to thank WNC Baptist Home for the exceptional care given to him during his stay there.  Also, a special thanks to CarePartners Hospice for their outstanding care, love and support provided to them throughout their journey.

Those desiring to make memorial contributions in Mr. Byrd’s honor are encouraged to consider West Asheville Baptist Church, Building Fund, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Byrd’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.