William W. Byington

In Memoriam

June 12, 1951 – May 6, 2023

Bill practiced law in Rome for 47 years and was a senior partner at Cox Byington Twyman LLP where he specialized in real estate law. Bill also served as the United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Georgia for 11 years. He proudly served his country for six years in the Georgia National Guard. He was a 40-year member of the Rome Rotary Club. He served on the Board of the Chiaha Guild for 35 years. He was a member of the UGA Library Board of Visitors. He was also an active member of Coosa Country Club and a faithful parishioner of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Bill loved to travel. His true passion though was baseball. He had an uncanny and encyclopedic knowledge of obscure historical facts and statistics. He grew up listening to baseball on his radio but also was fortunate enough to attend every opening game at every stadium of the Atlanta Braves. A high point for his love of the game was when he was 9 years old and living in Royston, he spent one on one time with Ty Cobb watching sporting events.

Bill was one of those rare people who collected friends wherever he went. Moving from town to town, not only did he make new friends easily, but he remained friends with them his entire life. He was funny, quick witted and even mischievous sometimes. He loved his friends greatly.

Bill began each day by reading a devotional. He studied the Bible from start to finish several times. His favorite devotionals were the Upper Room and Jesus Calling.

When asked some time ago how he wanted to be remembered, Bill said “I think I would like to be remembered as a happy person. I hope my children and grandchildren will say I enjoyed life, was kind and did not get totally wrapped up in worries or work and tried to help them along the way.”

Bill lived life to the fullest. We should all be so lucky.