[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12957]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S BELOVED WILLIAM H. 
                            ``COTTON'' BYROM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 27, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and 
legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved William H. ``Cotton'' Byrom. 
Cotton was a friend and a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast, a 
successful business owner, and a leader in civil society. All of 
Northwest Florida mourns his passing.
  Born and raised in Milton, Florida, Cotton graduated from Milton High 
School in the midst of World War II, and, at the age of 17, he answered 
the call of duty, serving with honor and distinction in the Navy during 
the war. Following his military service, Cotton attended Florida State 
University, cementing a passion for FSU football that would continue 
for the rest of his life. At FSU, Cotton displayed the leadership 
skills that would come to be a hallmark of his service to Northwest 
Florida, serving as founding president of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.
  After receiving his degree in finance, Cotton returned to his beloved 
Milton, starting the Byrom Insurance/Real Estate Agency, which he led 
for nearly four decades. Despite the rigors of running a successful 
small business, Cotton was also dedicated to serving the people of 
Milton, and this commitment to service saw him elected to various 
important positions. Among the many offices he held, Cotton served as 
Mayor of Milton, City Police Director, and City Judge, and he also 
served a term in the Florida Legislature. Cotton also served in many 
other capacities, including more than 30 years on the Board of 
Directors for SunTrust Bank, nearly 20 years as Chairman of the Santa 
Rosa Beach Administration, and more than a decade as Santa Rosa County 
Civil Defense Director. In addition, Cotton was a member of the 
``Coffee Crew,'' which gathered at 9:00 a.m. each morning in Milton to 
discuss politics and current affairs. When I attended, I always enjoyed 
visiting with Cotton and was deeply humbled to receive his counsel and 
guidance.
  Cotton was also a deeply religious man and a longtime member of First 
United Methodist Church. In fact, as a child, Cotton began saving the 
money that he earned to help rebuild the church following a fire that 
destroyed the church in 1932.
  To some, Cotton Byrom will be remembered as a dedicated public 
servant and patriot, who answered the call during one of our Nation's 
toughest hours and came back home to continue leading and serving the 
people of Northwest Florida; to others he will be remembered as a 
successful businessman and civic leader; to his friends and family he 
will best be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and 
great-grandfather.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged 
to recognize the life and legacy of William H. ``Cotton'' Byrom. My 
wife Vicki and I send our deepest prayers and condolences to his wife 
Geraldine ``Geri'' Byrom; four daughters: Priscilla (Pete) Sanstead, 
Barbara (Terry) Johnson, Jennifer (Alan) Byrom; Julie (Guy) Byrom; 
grandchildren: Betsy Cooley, Leslie (Josh) Sparr, Tyler Sparr, Caroline 
Sanstead, and Gracie Stewart; great-grandchildren: Sarah Cooley, Brooke 
Baker, William Baker, Ben White and Jayden White; stepchildren, Matt 
(Tonya) Lawrence and Laura (Shaine) Garrison; step-grandchildren: Seth 
Lawrence, Grant Garrison, Colin Garrison and Emma Garrison; nephew, 
Jack (Betty) Williamson; special relative, Paul (Laurie) Green; and the 
entire Byrom family.

                          ____________________