Mr. Joe Willie Byrd

BYRD, Mr. Joe Willie - Age 89, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, at Pines of Burton. Family hour 11:00 AM Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3502 Lapeer Rd., with funeral service commencing at 12:00 PM. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11:00 AM Saturday. Mr. Byrd will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday, July 11, 2025. Joe Willie Byrd, affectionately called “Brother,” by his family, was born in Indianola, Mississippi on May 10, 1936. He was the first son born to the late Eddie Frank and Cora Lee Byrd. Joe gave his life to the Lord Jesus at a young age and he and his wife Rose rededicated their lives to Christ while in Atlantic City as their youngest son Chris prepared to win his first World Championship! On June 23, 2025, Joe went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to reunite with his wife of 54 years, Rose. In 1951, his dear sister Eliza and brother-in-love Johnny Anderson moved him to Flint, Michigan, where he briefly attended Central High School. While living on Mott Street in Flint, Joe met a beautiful young lady named Rose Mayfield, who was visiting her dad for the summer. In the evening, after working as a gas station attendant, Joe would spend time with Rose. The story has it that Joe was riding in his 54 Chevy, as Rose purposely rode her bicycle in front of him. Joe would say that Rose asked a neighbor friend, “Who is that dashing young man?” This story always made his children laugh, along with many other stories they would share. During their 56-year union, Joe and Rose had eight children: Joe, Timmy, Laurie, Lula, Ronnie, Tracy, Patrick, and Chris, and in their early years of marriage, they often spent time with Joe’s son, Charles. In 1955, Joe moved his age to a year older to be hired by General Motors (GM). As a provider of ten, Joe became a master of all trades, working at GM in maintenance during the day, and as a barber, mechanic, lawn service, and prize fighter during the evening, nights, and weekends. Joe was a hard worker and was committed to every endeavor. He retired in 1988 from Chevrolet V-8 Engine Plant, after working 36 years on the job. Joe was a good athlete as well. He played basketball, softball, and boxed. He and his brothers spent many days playing sand lot sports. During those years, Joe became more serious about boxing. While at Martin School, Joe began training under the tutelage of Bob Pelon, a former Golden Gloves champion and boxing coach. 4 An article in BoxRec, posted by Ruthless-RKO, 25 June 2025 stated:“Byrd reportedly stopped his first ever opponent in a Golden Gloves match in Flint in 1957. “People were coming up to me after, telling me how good I’d done and shaking my hand,” he once said. “I thought, ‘Oh God, it’s in my blood now’. Once boxing is in your blood, that’s it.” During his (amateur) career, which concluded when his record reached 31-17, Byrd won (Golden Gloves) city championships as a light heavyweight and heavyweight, and a state title at heavyweight in 1962. His nickname “Toy Block” owed to his short, strong stature, and his aggression. Byrd not only trained Chris, but all five of his sons – each, like his daughter Tracy, turned professional – and ran the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy. His wife Rose Byrd died in June 2015, having previously trained him for fights when, in his youth, he couldn’t afford a professional trainer. The Joe & Rose Byrd After-School All-Star boxing program opened four years later, when his son Patrick said: “You can ask any boxer that fought under him – they would tell me, ‘Your dad is a good man’. I just appreciate him.” It was in 2001 when, discussing his profession and the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy, Joe Byrd told The Journal: “Everybody who comes through this door ain’t a boxer. “That’s all right. I just want to make sure they go down the right road. The Lord is leaving me here to do this work with these kids. While they’re here, they’re mine.” Throughout Joe’s 46 years of coaching, he was the 1982 Head Coach of the Police Athletic League (PAL) Boxing Club, 1989 Head Coach of the World Championships, 1989-90 Chairman of the National Coaches Committee, 1989-91 Head Coach of the World Cup and Coach for five World Challenge events. In 1990 Joe was named Head Coach of the Goodwill Games and USA/American Boxing Federation (ABF) Coach of the Year. He enshrined in three halls of fames: Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame (1997), Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame (1998), and the Golden Gloves Hall of Fame (2011). He was one of 24 coaches on the original board of the USA/ABF when the organization became the governing body for amateur boxing in 1981. He made sure many local coaches became national boxing coaches, ensuring that they went on national trips with him. Several of his most treasured accomplishments and highest coaching honor came when he was named the 1992 Olympic Head Boxing Coach. Joe once said, “You can’t get any higher as a coach in amateur boxing. Joe watched his children flourish: Charles as an business mogul, Joe as State Golden Gloves Champions and professional boxers, Timmy as a State Golden Gloves 5 Champion and profession Intercontinental light heavyweight champion; Laurie as a professional basketball player, coach, and jersey retirement at Eastern Michigan University; Lula, as a two time Boston Marathon runner; Ronnie as a gold medalist in the National Sports Festival and professional boxer; Tracy, as a three time World Boxing Champion; Patrick, as a 92’ Pre-Olympic and professional boxer; and Chris, as the 92’ Olympic silver medalist and two time World Boxing Champion. As quoted by former professional basketball player Marty Embry: “Joe Byrd was true legend in the boxing world and a pillar of the Flint community. Mr. Byrd was far more than a trainer. He was a builder of dreams, a mentor to countless young fighters, and the patriarch of one of boxing's most remarkable and athletic families. Through the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy, he shaped not just boxers, but young men and women of character, instilling in them the discipline, respect, and determination that would serve them both in and out of the ring… Each of his children carries forward the values of dedication, perseverance, and excellence that their father instilled in them. But Mr. Byrd's impact extended far beyond his own family. As the first African American to coach the U.S. Olympic Team from Michigan, he broke barriers and opened doors for future generations. Together with his beloved wife Rose, he dedicated his life to serving the youth of Flint and beyond. Their boxing academy became a sanctuary where young people could find purpose, develop skills, and build the confidence to overcome life's challenges. The Byrd name became synonymous with excellence, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Mr. Byrd leaves behind a championship legacy that will inspire fighters and coaches for generations to come. His teachings, his values, and his unwavering belief in the potential of every young person who walked through his gym doors will continue to echo through the boxing community. Together with his beloved wife Rose, he dedicated his life to serving the youth of Flint and beyond. Their boxing academy became a sanctuary where young people could find purpose, develop skills, and build the confidence to overcome life's challenges. The Byrd name became synonymous with excellence, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. 6 Mr. Byrd leaves behind a championship legacy that will inspire fighters and coaches for generations to come. His teachings, his values, and his unwavering belief in the potential of every young person who walked through his gym doors will continue to echo through the boxing community.” Joe’s legacy lives through his children. He leaves to cherish 9 children: Charles (Phyllis) Young II, Joe, Timmy (Linda), Laurie, Lula, Ronnie, Tracy, Patrick, and Chris. His last living sibling, Archie Byrd, 11 grandchildren: Charles Young III, Lanae Byrd, Andre Byrd, Nicholas Byrd, Kashonda (Ray) Scott, Stephen (Leah) Luster, Cameron Byrd, Kennedy Byrd, Jordan (Jordan) Searby, Justin Byrd, and Sydney (Chase) Beasley; 14 great-grandchildren: Charles IV and Sienna Young; Maddox Byrd and Adder Beatty; Jamari Thigpen; Simeon and Kaleya Luster; Lennon and Vienna Searby; Jrae Byrd and Renleigh; Sophia, Sage, and Carter Beasley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Lena Byrd; parents: Eddie and Cora Byrd; grandson Kyle Kelly, great-granddaughter Lillie Rose Luster; siblings: Essie Mae Spiller, Eliza Mae Anderson, Andrew Byrd, Eddie Frank Byrd, LeDora Whitaker, Eddie Mae (Happy) James, Betty Hargrove, Nellie Thomas, Willie Lee Byrd, and Benjamin Byrd.

Mr. Joe Willie Byrd

May 10, 1936 - June 23, 2025