Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2016-105

• Record #: R2016-105
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• Intro date: 2/10/2016
• Final action: 2/10/2016
• Title: Tribute to late Willie Frank Byrd
• Sponsors: Sawyer, Roderick T.

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
2/10/2016		City Council	Introduced (Agreed Calendar)
2/10/2016	19081	City Council	Adopted	Pass

TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF WILLIE FRANK BYRD

WHEREAS, In His Infinite Wisdom, Almighty God has granted eternal rest to Willie Frank Byrd, an outstanding businessman and pillar of the Englewood community, on January 16, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Willie Byrd started life on February 27, 1927 in Columbus, Georgia as one of eleven children born to the union of Vivian and Flattie Pearl Byrd. Both of his parents, two sisters and six brothers preceded him in passing. In 1958, he united with the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Trustee, sang in the Troy L. Mahaffey Male Choir and took part in the Pastor's Aide Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Known to all his Englewood neighbors as the unofficial "Mayor of Halsted", Willie Byrd owned and operated City Wide Construction Inc. for more than three decades. He took great pride in both his business acumen and his community. He was a man who could create a job for someone who didn't have one so they could feed their families and make ends meet; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Willie Byrd retired from the construction business, but continued to contribute to the rebuilding of Englewood by constructing a laundromat on land he owned at 71st & Halsted because it was needed by the community. He received recognition for being an outstanding humanitarian as well as his leadership in economic development by the Englewood Business Association and the Chicago Police Department's 7th District; and

WHEREAS, Willie Byrd leaves behind to mourn his passing and celebrate his memory his devoted wife Dorothy, his children Yolanda Byrd-Smith, Shirley Byrd, Adrian "DJ Chico" Kirkland and two sisters Marie Benning of Brooklyn New York, Sophrania Ford of Columbus Georgia; and

WHEREAS, The Honorable Roderick Sawyer, Alderman of the 6^th Ward, has informed this august body of the passing of this respected and beloved octogenerian; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City 'of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 10^th Day of February, 2016 AD, do hereby express our sincere sorrow upon learning of the passing of Willie Frank Byrd and extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and all those whose lives he has touched.

RODERICK SAWYER Alderman - 6^th Ward

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Mrs. Dorothy Byrd.