Billy Duane Byrd

Billy Duane Byrd, 80, longtime resident of Okmulgee, died in the Veterans Hospital in Muskogee on Sunday, May 15, 2011. He was born in Memphis, Texas on December 29, 1930 to Alton and Lucelle (Martin) Byrd. He, his sister and brother were raised by their maternal grandparents Robert Price and Minnie Ella (Lamb) Martin. Billy graduated from Memphis High School in 1949 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. Early in his career he was stationed in Washington D.C. While there he accepted a side job as the driver for actress Debbie Reynolds. More importantly, Washington D.C. is where he met his future wife Airman Dorothy “Pat” Mae Pavlus. They married December 6, 1952 and then had two daughters: Debbie and Sherry. Billy was stationed at several locations in the United States as well as Guam, Hong Kong, Okinawa, and Vietnam. He served in nuclear weapons, the Strategic Air Command, and precision measurements and earned various medals and commendations for his service. Billy also continued his education being just one semester short of attaining his B.A. in Education from the University of Arizona. He retired as a Master Sergeant and moved to the Okmulgee area in late 1976. In retirement Billy was a very active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Okmulgee. He served as an Elder, Greeter, Property Coordinator, etc. and was a member of the Men’s Group and played on the softball team. He was always there to help wherever needed. Before his illness, Billy enjoyed senior aerobics classes at the Okmulgee YMCA and was a board member of the YMCA as well. He was also active with the Disabled American Veterans chapter in Muskogee and he kept busy with his gardening when able. During this time Billy’s wife, Pat, was stricken with cancer. He stayed by her side as her faithful caregiver for the five years of her illness until her death in 1997. They were married almost 45 years. In November of 1998, Billy married Thelma Johns. Eventually Thelma also became ill and he cared for her through her illness until her death. Others preceding him in death were his parents, grandparents, brother Bobby Charles Byrd, Uncle “Brother” Frank Martin and nephew Price Wilson Avent, and brother-in-law Robert Avent. Left to cherish Billy’s memory are his daughters: Debra “Dawn” Byrd-Gasca and Sherry Leigh Byrd-Parsley, sons-in-law: David Parsley and Carl David Louton, grandchildren: Stacey Arntfield, Victoria Stites and husband Dale, Nathaniel Duane Byrd-Gasca, Kimberly Karbowski and husband Keith, and Austin Byrd-Louton, great grandchildren: Braeden, Mackenzie, Lyndzie, Hailey, and Daxton. Also his sister Betty Lucelle Avent, niece Lucy, and many friends. Billy rarely met a stranger and he will be missed by all. Services will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Miles Schultz officiating. The family suggest memorials be made to the Okmulgee YMCA, DAV chapter 7 of Muskogee, or the Trinity Lutheran Church memorial building fund.

Billy Duane Byrd

December 29, 1930 - May 15, 2011