Hassell Leon Byrd

Hassell Leon Byrd, age 73, of Caledonia IL, peacefully passed away on 9/20/2022 surrounded by his family.

Hassell was born on July 17th,1949 to Dewey Thomas Byrd and Gaynelle Lester in the city of Red Ash, Virginia. Hassell graduated from Richlands High School in 1967. He moved to Ohio in 1968 and then to Illinois in 1977. 

After graduation, Hassell worked as a Coal Miner, operated a dump truck at Deerwhackor Sand & Gravel and a few other jobs before starting at Belvedere Company as a welder for 37 years where he retired. 

Hassell has two daughters, Gail and Hope, with his first wife. Hassell met Wendy in 2005 and was married June 2nd,2018. 

Some of Hassell’s hobbies were golfing, bowling, euchre, horseshoes, cornhole, traveling, marbles, spoiling his cat, Skitress, and spending time with his family. Hassell was a Richard Petty, Pittsburgh Steelers and NY Yankees fan.  He was also a member of the Moose Club and Blaine Methodist Church. Hassell was known for being a jokester and having a great sense of humor.  He absolutely loved his family, as they were the light of his life. 

Hassell was predeceased by his parents, Dewey and Gaynelle; five sisters and four brothers. Hassell is survived by his wife, Wendy Byrd; daughters, Gail (Kevin) Kwidzinski and Hope (Ralph) Byrd; bonus children, Tony Ball, Christine Ball and Ross Ball; grandchildren, Rebecca (Adam) Howard, Heather (Ethan) Lettier, Michelle (Nick) Hammond, Heidi Hammond; bonus grandchildren, Tamra (Charlie) Anderson, Korryn Opperman, Preston Ball, Mason Morris, Zandar Ball, Nolan and Jaxin Ball; “cat daughter” Skitress; brother in laws, Tim Swanson and Jeff (Aileen) Swanson, sister in law,  Karla Harper Swanson; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Hassell was the best PaPa to eleven great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Blaine Methodist Church, Poplar Grove, IL on Monday, September 26, 2022, at 11:00 am. A public visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 10:00 am. Burial will be held at Highland Garden of Memories Cemetery. 

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