Howard Louis Byrd, 94, a resident of the Sheridan community, passed away peacefully at his home on March 14, 2016.

Born in 1921 in Seminary, Miss., he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a German prisoner of war. Mr. Byrd retired from the Bogalusa paper mill and was a longtime member of the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Elder Doyle Ball; two grandsons, Grayson Ball, Joseph Ball and wife Jenny; three step-great-grandchildren, Conner Tynes, Mason Lasalle, and Grace Lasalle; two sisters, Faye Sheridan and Rachel Vining; and a sister-in-law, Jean Byrd.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Donia Sheridan Byrd; his parents, Elder Huey and Lavada Byrd; brothers, B.J., George, and Ellis Byrd; and sister, Willie Mae Bennett.

Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 15, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and after 9 a.m. on Wednesday. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Elder Doyle Ball, Elder Tommy Hudnall, Elder Clyde Cooper and Elder Duane Ball officiating.

Burial will follow in the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, with full military rites to be conducted by the Fort Polk honor guard.