Johnnie Lee Byrd

Johnnie Lee Byrd, age 85, of Oak Ridge, passed away Thursday, May 23, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born May 27, 1927, in Lancing, Tenn., to Andrew and Ibbie Byrd. John retired from the U.S. Navy as a senior chief petty officer after serving his country for 27 years. He served during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, and later retired from Union Carbide. He was a long time member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge and Fraternal Order of Eagles in Oak Ridge.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Esther Willene “Billie” Byrd; sisters, Ruthie Slaven, Jean Booth, and Mary O’Conner; and brothers, Lewis, Glen, Robert, and Roland Paul “Buddy” Byrd.

He is survived by his brother Wendell Byrd; daughters, Sandra and husband Alden Clark of Napa, Calif., and Brenda Hawes, of Ventura, Calif.; sons, William Paul Byrd and wife Amy of Oak Ridge, Roland Dean Byrd and wife Phyllis of Clinton, Lewis Keith Byrd and wife Robin of Vienna, Va.; grandchildren, Joshua Paul Byrd, Carmel Byrd, Rachel Byrd, and Reagan Byrd all of Oak Ridge, Natalie Nichole Hodge of Johnson City, Tenn., Susan Brush of Eugene, Ore., and Morgan Lee Byrd of Vienna, Va.; and two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Darcy.

The graveside service was held on Sunday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Deer Lodge, Tenn., with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. The family received friends Saturday, May 25, from 6–8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. An online guest book may be signed at weatherfordmortuary.com.