Wayne Byrd, 76, lawyer of the ‘old school’
June 8, 2023
Robert Wayne Byrd of North Litchfield, a retired lawyer, died May 29 surrounded by his family following a brief illness. He was 76. It was 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, his favorite time of the day on one of his favorite days of the year, his family said.
Known as Wayne, he was born Feb. 11, 1947, in Charleston, the first-born child of Robert Newton Byrd and Wilma Gwendolyn Byrd. As the oldest of five children, he was the family’s anchor and always made sure his siblings felt special, included and loved. Wayne’s drive to succeed and tireless work ethic was unmatched. He excelled on the football field at McClenaghan High School in Florence and then as a four-year starting offensive lineman at the University of Georgia. He played for Vince Dooley and helped the Bulldogs secure two visits to the SEC championship, bringing home the title in 1968.
Exerting the same effort academically, Wayne graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business personnel management in 1969. After obtaining a masters of accountancy degree from UGA in 1972, he attended law school at the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with honors in 1975. While working on his postgraduate degrees, Wayne served as an officer in the Army Reserves after going through basic training and serving as a platoon leader at Fort Polk in Louisiana.
Upon graduating from law school, Mr. Byrd managed an active transactional and tax planning law practice in Greenville. In 1988, he returned to his hometown of Florence and joined the law firm of Turner Padget Graham and Laney, where he focused his practice on complex business litigation. During his 35 years with Turner Padget, he held numerous leadership roles, culminating as chief executive officer from 2015 to 2018.
In 2005, Mr. Byrd and his wife, the former Georganne Baroody, relocated to their home in North Litchfield, and he founded the law firm’s Myrtle Beach office. While a ferocious advocate in the courtroom, he was remembered for his professionalism and respect for the judicial system; a true lawyer of the “old school.”
He received numerous awards for his work as a litigator and served the legal profession through his leadership in the American Bar Association Section of Litigation as a member of the Trial Attorney Advisory Board, a member of council, a director of three different divisions, a chair of the Business Torts Committee and managing director.
Mr. Byrd was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame’s University of Georgia Chapter in 2016, an honor reserved for those who have excelled in their chosen professions.
Although Wayne was a revered (and often feared) attorney in the courtroom, his heart belonged at home with his family. As a self-trained gourmet chef, Mr. Byrd loved preparing amazing meals for the family and friends that regularly filled their home.
In addition to his wife of 31 years, he is survived by his children, Nikole Mariencheck (Bobby), Rod Byrd, Christopher Byrd (Audra) and Wallace Mullinax (Kristen); his grandchildren, Caid Byrd, Parker Mariencheck, Victoria Byrd, Hannah Grace Mariencheck, Kinley Byrd, Gray Mariencheck and Aiken Mullinax; his siblings, Greg Byrd, Timmy Byrd, Terry Byrd Amaral and Larry Byrd, and several nieces and nephews; his brother-in-law, Murray Baroody (Marley) and four nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday at Holy Cross Faith-Memorial Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Baskervill Food Pantry or the Smith Medical Clinic, at 99 Baskervill Dr., Paweys Island, SC 29585; Grace Based Grief Resources For Children, Holy Cross-Faith Memorial Church, 113 Baskervill Dr., Pawleys Island, SC 29585; All4Paws, 708 Petigru Dr., Pawleys Island, SC 29585; or Saint Frances Animal Rescue, 125 Ridge St., Georgetown, SC 29440.
