LAKELAND, FL–Rev. W.C. Byrd, who served the Church of God as third assistant general overseer from 1971-74, passed away this afternoon, September 8, 2008. Rev. Byrd celebrated his 96th birthday last week.
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W.C. Byrd |
Byrd held several appointments within the Church of God including state overseer, youth director, and pastor. He served on the Executive Council for a total of 12 years, not counting his time as an executive committee member. His overseer posts included the states of Georgia (1968-71), Kentucky !964-68), Tennessee (1956-60), Delmarva-DC (1952-56) and Louisiana (1941-44). He was youth director for one year each in the states of Florida (1937), California (1936) and Tennessee (1935).
Ordained in 1940, Rev. Byrd was the 1936 valedictorian of Bible Training School, the forerunner of Lee University. He was honored in 1969 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Lee. He held three pastorates in Lakeland, Florida, between 1939 and 1966. In between he pastored churches in Pritchard, Alabama, McMinnville, Tennessee and Huntington Beach, California.
Rev. Byrd and his wife, Tannis were married over 60 years until she passed away several years ago. They were the parents of three children: James, Betty Sumner and Joyce Short.
Visitation and funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Faith News and Church of God Communications will announce plans as they develop.