EDENTON – West William Byrum, Jr., 87, of 123 Pembroke Circle, Edenton, died Saturday, March 21, 2015 in Chowan River Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Byrum was born in Chowan County on December 6, 1927, and was the son of the late West William, Sr. and Virginia Stephenson Byrum.

He was educated at Edenton High School, McCallie Military School where he served as Captain of the Band, Wake Forest University (’47 and ’48) where he served in the Student Senate, and Harbarger Business College. He later served in the United States Air Force, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

The retired owner and president of the West Byrum Insurance Agency, for many years he also operated the family farm. A member and deacon of Edenton Baptist Church, past activities included his being an Eagle Scout, a member of the Edenton Band, past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce where he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1960, past president of the Edenton Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, past president of the Edenton Chamber of Commerce and 1962 recipient of its Distinguished Service Award, had served as Captain of the Edenton Rescue Squad, past president of the NC Association of ABC Boards, Chairman of the Albemarle Mental Health Center, and Chairman of the North East Regional Airport Commission.

He loved fishing, sailing, and flying, and was happiest at Kitty Hawk with his family and friends.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Hattie Singletary Byrum; daughters, Virginia “Ginger” Byrum Vogedes and husband Bill of Edenton, and Gail Byrum Carter and husband Ernie of Powellsville; grandchildren, Elizabeth “Betsy” Vogedes Hicks (Paul) of Edenton, Leigh Vogedes Hood (Daniel) of Santa Monica, CA, Stuart Long Brooks and fiancé Neel of Winston-Salem, Kathryn Byrum Brooks of Raleigh, and Hinton, Mollie, and Will Carter of Wilmington.

A Celebration of his Life was held Monday, March 23 in Edenton Baptist Church by the Rev. David Brooks. A reception was held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. Burial was private in Beaver Hill Cemetery with Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Edenton Baptist Church, 200 S. Granville Street,or to the Edenton-Chowan Rescue Squad, 208 W. Hicks Street, both in Edenton, NC  27932, or to one’s favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.