Byron Bullard

On May 6, 2021, the great heart of Byron Bullard came to a stop. Byron, age 93, passed away peacefully in his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his children by his side.

He was survived by his son, Byron Bullard, Jr. and wife Heather Bullard, his daughter, Leigh Bullard, his grandchildren, Byron Revels and wife Jessica Revels, Colin Revels, Anna Bullard, Brandon Bullard, and his sister Frances Yates.

He was predeceased by his wife Carolyn, his parents, Byron Bullard, Sr., and Anna Bullard, and his brother Earl Bullard.

Byron was born on November 30, 1927 in Lumberton, North Carolina. He graduated from Chadbourn High School in 1945, and joined the US Air Force, serving two years in Japan. Following this service, Byron returned to Wake Forest and graduated in 1951. While there, he met Carolyn Timberlake of Youngsville, NC. After deciding that she was "the prettiest and smartest girl on campus", he proceeded to win her over. They married in 1952 and shared nearly 58 years together until her death in June, 2010.

After graduating from college, Byron moved to Charlotte in 1951 and begin his long career in healthcare management. He earned a Master's Certificate in Hospital Administration and concurrently began working at Presbyterian Hospital by running what was then the Admitting Office. He progressed, and in 1971 was named Executive Vice President, and then President and CEO in 1977, in which capacity he served until his retirement in 1991. He truly dedicated his career to improving the healthcare of the people of North Carolina.

Byron's service extended to many other organizations in the community and state. He served on numerous boards, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the North Carolina Citizens of Business and Industry, SunHealth, Queens University, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, for which he was Vice President in 1980. He served as the Chairman of the North Carolina Healthcare Association in 1975.

Two of the awards Byron received for which his family is particularly proud are the 1988 American Protestant Healthcare Association for Excellence in Christian Healthcare Management, and the 2018 presentation of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

In spite of a busy career, Byron's first love was his family, and second, his church. He served in many capacities at St. John's Baptist Church since joining in 1951, including as chairman of the Board of Deacons in the 1970's, and is a Lifetime Deacon. He also greatly enjoyed his many years of service and friendship with members of Charlotte Rotary.

Byron's greatest achievement, however, is his legacy of love and giving. He taught his family to trust the Lord in all of life, and to live by the Golden Rule. His optimism and cheer were infectious, and he made everyone he met feel worthy and valued. He lived his teachings by word and example every day of his life.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 14 at 2:00 pm in Youngsville Town Cemetery in Youngsville, NC.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life and ministry of Byron Bullard is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, at 1:30 pm, in the sanctuary of St. John's Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 with Dr. Dennis Foust officiating. The service will be live-streamed on the St. John's Baptist Church Facebook page and will also be uploaded to the St. John's YouTube page. Due to pandemic protocols, face coverings will be required for attendees and physical distancing encouraged.

Memorials may be directed to the St. John's Endowment Fund which Byron initiated, and to the Novant Presbyterian Foundation.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.