Donald Gerald Byrd

Donald Gerald Byrd, 75, went to be with the Lord, with his family by his side Sat. Feb. 10.  Gerald was a 1961 graduate of Garner High School. He ran Byrd’s Bait and Tackle and Rod and Reel Service. The store closed a few years ago, but he continued to do Reel repairs. He worked for the N.C. Dept. of Trans. for 34 years. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.  He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed being in a boat fishing. He will be missed by many who cherished and loved him. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM Tuesday Feb. 13 at Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Willow Spring. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Miriam Ennis Byrd; daughter, Cindy Villani and husband Eric, son, Andy Byrd and wife Julie and four adored grandchildren; Garrett Byrd, Nicholas Villani, Ansley Byrd and Darci Villani. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service from 12 noon – 1 pm. The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff and doctors at Duke Raleigh Oncology and the Hospital for their care.