Willie Byrd was one of the Dozen Cousins on his mother's side of the family, and when we were kids, everyone used to get together in the summer with the extended George T. Scott family at Loysville, PA. All of the Harrisons, Morgans, and Scotts ran around the farm and barn and played pretty freely, but Willie was probably the most carefree of all.
I remember him as a fun-loving, daredevil kid, but when I told my husband about this sad news, he immediately asked "the helicopter pilot"? I'd forgotten that they'd had some long conversations at a family reunion years later, and Rod had heard about some of Willie's aerial exploits that obviously resulted in his many military decorations. I think he must have put that free spirit to good use in the service of his country, and the military was lucky to have him.
The Scott family has an over-abundance of academics, if I can put it that way, and Willie Byrd, with his good-natured humour, wit, and sense of adventure was just the breath of fresh air every family needs.
Although I haven't seen him in so long, I have such fond memories of that funny, handsome, golden boy that I will never forget him. My heart goes out to Deb and his other family and friends who have enjoyed his company for so many years and must be missing him terribly now.
Cousin Patty (as he always knew me)