William Levan Byrd was born on October 18, 1953, in Sumter County, son of the late Catherine Byrd and raised by the late David, Sr. and Eva Byrd Hasty.

On Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, God sent his angels and called him home to eternal rest.

William was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He was a 1971 graduate of Sumter High School.  After graduating, William joined the US Army.  After serving in the Army, he continued his post-secondary education. William earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Accounting with distinction from Regent's University (formerly Augusta State University). He also completed further studies in taxation at New York University (School of Law).

William was the owner William Levan Byrd, CPA, a professional accounting corporation licensed in the State of South Carolina, State of North Carolina, State of Maryland, Commonwealth of Virginia, and District of Columbia in operation for over 25 years.

William Levan Byrd was a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).  He also worked as an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Agent trained as an Employee Plans/Exempt Organizations Specialist.

Professionally, he was a member of the following organizations:

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) serving on the Joint Trial Board, Private Companies Practice Section and Non-Profit Organization Section
• South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA) serving on the Leadership Council and Taxation Committee
• Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA)
• National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA) Life-time member
• National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
• National Association Black Accountants (NABA) Life-time member
• Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce

William loved working in and giving back to the community.

William Levan Byrd's honors and awards includes being selected an Outstanding Young Man of America (1985) and Who's Who in the Southeast (1991). He was active with the following programs; (1) Urban League's Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) - Visiting Professor, (2) Junior Achievement's Project Business Teacher, and (3) INROADS - Mentor and Facilitator. He was a member of the Executive Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.  He was a life-time member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. and NAACP. He was also former Chairman of the Minority Issues Committee of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and a former member of the AICPA's Minority Initiatives Committee. He was a former President of the Richmond Chapter of the National Black MBA Association, Inc. He served on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Legal Services Corporation and chaired it Audit Committee.

William was appointed by the Sumter County Legislative delegation unanimously to serve on the Sumter County School District Board of Trustees. He was also a Commissioner of the Sumter City Housing Authority.

Willliam was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church. He was a member of the Veterans Ministry and was the former CPA for the church.

William was preceded in death by mother, Catherine Byrd, parents who reared him, David Hasty, Sr. and Eva Byrd-Hasty, two sisters, Gloria J. Byrd and Rosa M. Hasty-Harrington and a brother, David Hasty, Jr.

William leaves behind to cherish precious memories:  two sisters, Dr. Darnelle (Elder Robert) Wilson and Barbara Geddis; three brothers, Preston Hastie, Sr., Josh Hasty and Jimmy (Linda) Hasty; one sister-in-law, Sally Hasty and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 2-6pm at Job's Mortuary.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter, SC 29150 with the Reverend Willie A. Wright, Jr., eulogist, and Elder Robert L. Wilson officiating.

Interment will be held on Friday at 10am at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC.

Job's Mortuary, Inc., 312 S. Main Street is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at: jobsmortuaryinc@gmail.com or visit us on the web at: www.jobsmortuary.net.