October 23, 2023, 98, Calypso —

Willie Franklin Byrd, age 98, passed away Monday, October 23rd at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. Born in Duplin County, he was the son of the late Willie Thomas Byrd and Lila Bell Warren Byrd and the husband of the late Rachel Nunn Byrd. He was a member of the Faison Presbyterian Church and attended the Faison Baptist Church.  He loved to do different projects around the house, he also loved coloring in adult coloring books. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.  He loved all his family and was proud of all of them.

A service to celebrate the life of Wille will be held on Monday, October 30th at 11:00 am in the chapel of Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in the Calypso Cemetery. The family will greet friends Monday from 10:00 until 11:00 am at the funeral home.

Mr. Byrd is survived by his children, Fran Hardy and her husband, Tom, and Danny Byrd and his wife, Debbie; four grandchildren, Jody Hardy, Megan Hardy, Amanda Hardy Holder, and Tonya Byrd; three great-grandchildren, Thomas Hardy, Dan Holder, and Taylor Holder; along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Faison Baptist Church, 511 W. Main Street, Faison NC 28341.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Byrd family, and online condolences can be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com