Byrd D. Slusser, Jr. was born on May 30, 1928, to Byrd D. and Josie C. Slusser. Byrd was arrested in July 1951, for unlawfully appropriating a 1948 Chevrolet from the Tennessee Valley Motor Co., and he was charged with Fraudulent Breach of Trust. After multiple trial delays the charges against Slusser were dismissed on October 25, 1952, because by that time he was in the Federal Penitentiary. Byrd died on February 13, 1959, at the age of 31. He was survived by his parents, three sisters and four brothers. Byrd is buried in the Solway Methodist Church Cemetery.

Wesley G. Morgan, Ph.D.