Walter Lelan Byrd

Walter Lelan Byrd, 92, died peacefully on October 27th, 2023, one year after losing his wife of 69 years, Martha Lancaster Byrd.

Born in Gainesville February 22nd, 1931, Walter was the only child of Van Lelan and Daisy McEver Byrd.  His father was an engineer for the Gainesville Midland Railroad, and he had fond memories of growing up in a house on Grove Street across from the train station. He attended Gainesville High School and Georgia Tech, graduating as an ROTC Cadet with a BS in Industrial Management. He married Martha, his high school sweetheart, and took a job with Dupont, but he was soon called into active duty by the Army and sent to Fort Bliss, Texas. Commissioned as a First Lieutenant, he trained officers in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. After service, he came back to Gainesville and worked in management for Pacolet and Chicopee Manufacturing before becoming co-owner and manager of B&B Egg Company. Over the next three decades, B&B Egg grew from a small local industry into a company that traded internationally and served all the southeastern states. As an officer in the Georgia Egg Commission, he also furthered technological and geographical development of the poultry industry at large. Walter was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, and he considered The Anglers Sunday School Class, founded by veterans of World War II and made up of men he loved, his spiritual “band of brothers.”

Walter’s core values--hard work, honesty, geniality, and fairness--derived from his faith and also from his lifelong participation in sports. A natural athlete, he loved being part of a team.  At GHS he was quarterback of the football team, first baseman on the baseball team, and a guard on the basketball team. In 1948, his senior year, the Red Elephants competed for state championships in football and baseball, and he was All-State in both. Baseball was his passion though, and after graduating, he signed a professional contract with the Detroit Tigers. But play in the farm system was forestalled by the Korean War, and he went on to school at Georgia Tech. Ineligible for college sports because of his pro status, he worked out with the Tech team and played in semi-pro leagues during summers. Then, in 1953, he was recruited to play for the US Army team at Fort Bliss, which gave him a chance to compete with major league players called to active service during the war.

Years later, back in Gainesville, he found that coaching Little League was as rewarding as playing. Whether it was seven-year-olds holding a bat for the first time or all-stars competing for championships, he loved helping young players develop character and confidence through baseball. He also served on the Board of Directors of Gainesville Parks and Rec, chairing it for a while, to support a range of athletic programs for youth, and, working with high school baseball coaches, he revived a floundering American Legion program for college-bound players across North Georgia. In his later years, he became an avid golfer, and he and Martha formed a circle of friends that travelled widely for golf.

After his retirement in 1997, Walter continued to work with civic organizations, especially those focused on youth like Boys and Girls Club and Boy Scouts (he’d been an Eagle Scout), and he became more involved in politics. In 1998, he ran as a Republican for State Representative, District 20, winning the primary but losing the general election.  He had no regrets, however.  He had met fascinating people, enjoyed campaigning with his wonderful family, and opened some minds to conservative ideas.    

Walter is survived by three children, Sandy Brim (Jim), Lelan Byrd (Emily), and Tania Martin (Don); seven grandchildren, Katy Hong (Doug), Natalie Pemberton (Dan), Clint Byrd (Ashleigh), Clay Byrd (Sarah), Sarah Thiriez (Matt), Alayna Wells (John), and Chase Pirkle (Jessica); and thirteen great-grandchildren: Reece Pemberton; Preston and Sammi Byrd; Etta and Emeline Byrd; Lucy and Max Thiriez; Leighton, Alice, and Jack Wells; and Mattie Grace and Cora Pirkle. The family awaits the arrival this week of George Walter Byrd Thiriez.

The family requests that donations be made in his honor to Good Landing Recovery www.Venmo.com/goodlanding/ Make checks payable to Good Landing Recovery 256 McMillan Rd., Dacula, GA 30019 770-624-2728

A celebration of Walter’s life will be held at Memorial Park Chapel, Sunday, November 12th, 2023 at 2 pm. The family will receive visitors from 1 to 2. 

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

For viewing on livestream www.facebook.com/MemRiversideNorth