The funeral services for the late Mr. Willie Charles "Doug" Byrd of 141 Hardin Ave., Ashburn, Georgia, who departed this life on Monday, October 31, 2022 at his residence, will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. from the Turner County Civic Center in Ashburn, Georgia, with Reverend Marvin Cuffie, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Ashburn, Georgia, officiating. Burial will follow in the Westview Memorial Cemetery in Ashburn, Georgia. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the "Shipps Funeral Home" Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on this site's Home Page.

Mr. Willie Charles “Doug” Byrd was born in Ashburn, Georgia on August 6, 1947 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Dewey, Sr. and Mamie Holmes Byrd

He was educated in the Turner County Public School System at that time.

Willie Charles accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and joined Friendship Baptist Church in Ashburn, Georgia.

Doug was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life for sixty years, Eloise Maddie.

What was so special and unique about “Doug”, was that he only had an 8th grade level education, but he was very wise, smart, intelligent, and knew how to survive and take care of his family, receiving wisdom and knowledge from God. Doug was the first African-American police officer in Turner County, alongside Damon Pierce. Doug was also a member of Fidelity Lodge #119 of Ashburn, Georgia. He was a loving and devoted father of nine children that he loved dearly. Not only did he love his wife and children, Doug loved the community as a whole. He was a very genuine person with a heart of gold.

Willie Charles Byrd gave up this busy walk of life on Monday, October 31, 2022 at his home, surrounded by family and friends. His parents, two brothers, Dewey Byrd, Jr, Major “Pete” Byrd, two uncles, Richard Holmes, Albert Holmes, his adopted “Pops” for several years, Andrew Johnson, have all preceded him in death.

Willie leaves to cherish his memories a wife, Mrs. Eloise Byrd; three sons, Willie (Lisa) James of Trenton, New Jersey, Tarren (Lisa) Byrd of Tifton, Georgia, Tony (Kalondra) Byrd of Cordele, Georgia; six daughters, Jackie (Lester) McKenzie of Greensboro, North Carolina, Allison (Tony) Osby, Sherri (Eric) Bateman, both of Tifton, Georgia; Vickey Hall, Princess (Lonnie) King, both of Ashburn, Georgia, Yoko (Eric) Hendricks of Valdosta, Georgia; a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; four brothers, Richard (Katrina) Byrd, James (Dianne) Taylor, Nathaniel (Kia) Holloman, Kevin (Shimona) Holloman; seven sisters, Louise Collier, Evelyn (Samuel) Edmondson, Renae Dixon, Linda (Larry) Loper, Tina Taylor, Selina Byrd, Stephanie (Lefloyd) Odom, Tabitha (Zay) Powell; eight sisters-in-law, Daisy Byrd, Louise Byrd, Katrina Byrd, Shimona Holloman, Dianne Taylor; two brothers-in-law, Roosevelt Maddie, Loudale (Betty) Maddie; his last uncle, Preston “Brother” Holmes, whom he loved dearly; two aunts, Carrie Spears, Mamie Holmes; very special friends, Francina Philpot, Milton Hall, Hopson Williams, Elson Scott, Jimmy Johnson, Albert Pierce; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many, many sorrowing friends.