Birth date: Oct 22, 1942 Death date: Apr 5, 2020
William Byrd Harrison, age 77, known as "Willie" or "Willie Byrd" to his loved ones, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Alachua, Florida on April 5,2020. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Deborah N. Harrison, brothers S Read Obituary
My condolences to "Willie's" family. I was surprised to learn of his passing. We became friends, graduating from the same flight school class in 1966 and serving together in the 144 RR Company at Nha Trang, RVN in 1970.
Allen G. "Al" Warner, CW4, USA Retired
I remember playing tennis with Willie many times while we worked at EAATS at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pa. He was a little better than me but I was catching up slowly. Until the day I fell into the fence and smacked my head on a pole. Several stitches later the tennis version of PT was over. Totally not his fault at all. I missed him when he retired and I miss him still. We shared a lot of stories at the console of the Huey simulator and many laughs. this photo is exactly how I remember him. Mike Murray
I remember when Willie first came to Waynesville and went to my high school. He was a couple of grades ahead of me and one of the best all round guys that any of us had ever seen. Not only was he good looking but he was good at everything he did and one of the most popular guys in his class. Many years later when I had retired and come back to the mountains to visit frequently I had the pleasure of meeting his wife Deb and we got to be good friends. Willie was always such a gentleman and a pleasure to be around. I will treasure all the fun times with he and Deb. After my husband passed, he and Deb were so good to call and check on me. He will be missed by so many. My heart goes out to Deb and all his family and friends.
Anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting and really knowing Willie was a very fortunate individual indeed. My connection to Willie and his family goes all the way back in 1954 among the wind-swept white pines and pre-Cambrian shield rocks and islands of Georgian Bay. The Harrison family had their cabin on an island directly opposite the property where my family built our cabin in the wonderful wilderness and beauty of 'the Bay'. The Harrisons had been on their island since the 1940's. Every summer the Harrisons would arrive and spend the entire month of August at their island retreat. It was quite a family with four sons, and Willie was the youngest and was about the same age as my older brother. All of us kids could fish, swim, party and enjoy our summers on the waters. To this day 60% of the property in Carling Township is still 'Crown Land' having never been sold or privately owned. Many large islands and miles of shore are still open for camping and having shore dinners. Rev. Carter Harrison was an avid fisherman and outdoors man, and Willie's mother (always Mrs. Harrison to us kids) would invite the neighbours over for her famous 'bellywash' lemonade and sandwiches.
Willie was always the dare devil and I can remember his exploits over the years. He would catch Massassauga rattlesnakes and travel around from cottage to cottage holding the snake in his bare hands with its tail buzzing. If there was a girl around for him to impress... it brought out the best of Willie's adventurous spirit. One time he took a challenge and swam across open water a distance of several miles between two islands, just to impress a girl. Georgian Bay water is COLD, but it just added to the challenge. On one particular occasion, I noticed that Rev. Harrison's car had the entire driver's side almost torn off and badly damaged. It took a while but the truth finally came out that Willie had headed down to Bala, Ontario to a dance pavilion and Willie possibly might have had too much of a good time. Rev. Harrison's Ford was no match against the rock cuts along the twisty cottage roads for Willie on his way back from the dance to the island.
Willie and his brothers shared a small guest cabin in the middle of their island. When Willie had been out 'tom catting' in town he like to sleep it off the next morning. Once I noticed a 22-calibre rifle leaning next to the bed in the cabin. I asked Willie what he used it for?, and Willie pointed out a few small holes in the window screen where he had rolled over in bed, grabbed the rifle and shot the crows that had been cawing in the trees behind the cabin and wakened him.
I could go on, and on with further exploits but Willie was one of those unforgettable characters that you will never forget. He enjoyed life to its fullest!
In recent years, Willie & Deb would return to Georgian Bay in the summer and stay with friends. I had the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves, tell stories and meet Deb and their little dog, A couple of years ago, when riding my motorcycle down the Blue Ridge Parkway with friends, Willie had invited the four of us to have a short visit with his beautiful cabin in Maggie Valley. Willie hadn't changed from when I knew him as a kid in Ontario. My riding buddies talked about my old cottage friend 'Willie' as they recalled his stories that he had shared during our short visit with him in North Carolina.
My sincere condolences to Deb and the Harrison Family.
Don Clement, Carling, Ontario
Since the Harrison's sold the island... there have been two different owners of the island out front of where I now live year round. We still call it 'Harrison's Island' after all of these years.
Perimeter Man was our name for the funny, fun-loving, and loving character we had such fun with on a cruise in Tahiti over a decade ago. Deb knows the origin behind the nickname, as well as my husband's favorite Willie story which referenced her underwear after completion of a training flight that didn't go so well at his last command. We can't think of Willie without smiling and remembering his "tidewater' accent and contagious laugh leading up to the end of the story.
Fair winds and following seas, Perimeter Man, your favorite squid owes you a beer.
Marty and Tom Humphreys, Noxon, MT.
I'm another of the Dozen Cousins, #9 I think. And since I was so much younger than the others (you know how it is with kids) and a girl to boot, I wasn't in on all the fun and games that the big kids had. It wasn't until later Family Reunions, when a few years didn't matter so much, that I finally got to know Willie Byrd. I remember him as a quiet guy, but one who was lots of fun once the crowd thinned out and he got going. T think he made each of us feel special when he was with us. Those were the days. Hard to believe he's gone.
He was Willie "John" to us--never knew where the Willie "John" nickname came from. He was my friend for 57 years (1963-2020). We were suite mates at Wofford College, and played together on the football team. He was a free spirit, of that there was no doubt. he traveled everywhere with his friend and room mate Bill Lane. He once caught a freight train that went by Wofford College every day to see where it went. Don't remember where he wound up, but he did make it back.
He left Wofford in 65, to join the Army, and he became a helicopter pilot and served in Vietnam with distinction and dedication. He was completely and totally dedicated to the men on the ground, and risked his life many, many times in extractions and medivacs under fire, and would never hesitate to enter hot LZ's to support the ground troops. He was not one to discuss his exploits, however he was a very highly decorated veteran, having been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the nations highest award for bravery, courage, and skill for piloting missions, plus the Bronze Star and purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat.
I have spent many a night discussing life issues, and pondering the great questions of the Universe with Willie "John", and then the next day trying to remember all the world problems that we had solved, alas, to no avail.
He was my friend, and I will miss him--Semper Fi-Frank Satterfield
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)
What a great guy. I was a friend of Willie and his brother Scott. Spent some crazy times with him and his friend Kos. You could not find a more loyal friend. He will be missed by all that knew him. RIP buddy.
Willie Byrd was my friend for 63 years. He was complex, very much a one of a kind. He was loyal, adventurous and game for almost anything. He cut his own path through life finding many friends along the way. He was easy to like and fun to be with. I am thankful to have enjoyed his friendship and must accept that there will be no replacement.. Farewell Willie Byrd.
