William Howard Thomas Byrd, Jr.

William (Billy) Howard Thomas Byrd Jr was born on September 8, 1978 in Ann Arbor, Michigan  to the union of  William and Frances Byrd.  After the passing of his father, Frances remarried, and Billy gained a loving step-father, Robert L. Gaines.  Billy was preceded in death by his father, William Howard Byrd Sr. and his beloved nephew, Michael Bernard Layher.  

Billy graduated from Huron High School in 1996. During High School, he was in the Sha Bop Shoppe Choir and the Chamber Choir.  He worked several fast-food jobs. His favorite job was working at Buddy’s Pizza where he made many friends.   Due to health issues beginning in his mid -twenties, Billy struggled to hold down a steady job. 

We always called him the “Birthday Gift” because he was born on his twin sisters’ (Sharon & Karen) birthday, and they always tried to celebrate their birthdays together.   Billy was a gamer and made a multitude of friendships online.  Billy spent his leisure time building relationships both in person and online.  He was affectionately known as SirWill and Webby by those in the gaming world, where he spent many hours as his favorite pass time.  He also loved to bowl!

Billy never married and he didn’t have any children, so he doted on his nieces and had a great bond of friendship and love with his nephews. To know Billy was to know his love and genuine kindness for all those with whom he shared his hopes, dreams, and time.

Left to cherish his memory are; his mother Frances Byrd-Gaines (Robert), his 4 sisters; Robin Thomas, Trennis Sweatt (Alonzo), Sharon Hall (Clark), Karen Layher (Michael) and his step siblings; Robert Gaines Jr., Kesha Gaines, and LaToya Joplin.  He also leaves behind 23 nieces and nephews, 38 great-nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins and friends.  

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