CHATHAM, Va. – Former Chatham Mayor Roy Byrd has died. Word of his passing comes from current Mayor Will Pace, who notes that Byrd served as the town from 2013 until 2018, when he resigned shortly after the passing of his wife.

Byrd served previously on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and the Chatham Town Council.

Mayor Pace described Byrd as a “steady and unshakeable hand” and said he “loved our community and wanted to make it not only a great place for his family, but for each and every one of us in our community.”

Byrd died Wednesday at the age of 71.

His wife lost her life in a fire at the family home in Chatham on January 11, 2018.

(Photo: Chatham Star Tribune)