Byron Erman Bird, age 90, of Maryville, Missouri, died November 29, 2011, at Golden Living Care Center in Maryville.

Byron was born in Parnell, Missouri on February 17, 1921, to Viron Erman Bird and Edna (Busby) Bird.

A 1938 graduate of Maryville High School, he also graduated from the University of Iowa in 1946. During World War II Byron served in the 128th Field Artillery Unit of the 75th Infantry Division in the European Theater. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Byron worked for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for two years, and he farmed in the Graham area for thirteen years. He retired from the Postal Service in 1981, serving twenty-six years as Postmaster in the Graham and Hopkins areas.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Frances Todd Bird April 9, 1983, whom he married on October 9, 1942, his parents, his brother Viron Edward Bird and his sister Virginia Bird Helzer.

Byron was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Maryville, singing in the Choir for many years. He was a 50 year member of the Nodaway Masonic Lodge #470 AF & AM. Byron was a charter member of the Graham Lions Club and a former member of the Maryville Optimist Club. He delivered Meals on Wheels and was a volunteer for Road to Recovery.

Byron is survived by his wife Beverly Ward Bird, whom he married on December 28, 1983, in Maryville; his children: daughters Madeline Butzer (Fred) of Maitland, Missouri, Lorraine Porter (Michael) of Winslow, Arkansas and Jeanette Brookshier (Bill) of Graham, Missouri, grandchildren are Michael Wakely (Laura) and children, Mason, Logan, Wyatt Wakely and Jasmine Parker of Graham, Heath Goff and son Chase of Maitland, Missouri, Leigh Ann Lewis (Tim) and daughters Paige, Alex, and Morgan of Maryville, Beth Brookshier of St. Louis, Missouri and Matthew Brookshier (Melissa) and Mia of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Beverly's sons Paul Ward (Paula) of Northbrook, Illinois, Randall Ward of Chicago, Illinois, daughter Rebecca Seipel (David) of Blue Springs, Missouri, and granddaughters Shannon Seipel of Blue Springs, Missouri, Kathryn Seipel, Arlington, Virginia and Jenna Ward of Champaign, Illinois; a sister-in-law Marjorie Bird of Kansas City, Missouri and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00PM Thursday, December 1, 2011, Price Funeral Home, Maryville.

Funeral Services are 2:00 PM Friday, December 2, 2011,at the First United Methodist Church, Maryville, with burial to follow in Nodaway Memorial Gardens.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Maryville First United Methodist Church, the Maryville Public Library or to the charity of your choice.