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Feb. 28, 1921 – March 7, 2015

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for William Edward Byrd, 94, of Shreveport, La., formerly of Natchez, who died Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center in Shreveport, will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Natchez National Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Brewer officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Byrd was born Feb. 28, 1921, in Franklin County, the son of Edward Hardy Byrd and Marlin Townsend Byrd.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Sarasota. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.

Mr. Byrd retired from Natchez Gravel Company.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Faye Sturdivant Byrd; and one sister, Jeanette Pruett.

Survivors include one daughter, Charlotte Newcomb and husband, Jimmie; one grandson, William Cory Newcomb; one granddaughter, Bethany Faye Newcomb; one great-grandson, William Ryder Newcomb, all of Stonewall, La.; two sisters, Wessye Heard of Natchez and Peggy Crawford of Tualatin, Ore.; one brother, Jerry Byrd of Sacramento, Calif.; and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pallbearers will be Virgil Sturdivant, Griffin Sturdivant, Allen Burchfield, Cory Newcomb, David Bramlette and Jimmie Newcomb.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Porter and David Sturdivant.

Memorials may be made to Homes for Heroes or to the Wounded Warriors.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.