Grady Eldred Bird

Grady Eldred Bird passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021 at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born November 2, 1927 to Eldred Ian Bird and Ida Belle Conn Bird. He worked for Halliburton in Laurel, the southeastern US, Bogota Columbia and El Tigre Venezuela. He was very well thought of in the oil field services and was once asked to join Red Adair’s Oil Field Fire Team. He ended his career as a vice-president of Wansley Machine and Welding, running the diesel shop. He was very active in his church, West Laurel United Methodist, where he was a member of the Timothy Sunday School Class and served as Chair of the Board of Trustees. He lived his life as his Lord and Savior directed, passing on that commitment to his children, grandson, and great grandchildren. Grady set a great Christian example, always thinking of ways to help other. He never heard of a need within his family or outside of it that he didn’t find a way to help. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His family will always remember the good times they had together, the stories he told, and the love he gave. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Ruth Bird Lambert, Bobbie Lea Bird Kaiser, and Sandra Kay Bird Bullock. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 64 years, Betty Wansley Bird; daughters, Susan Bird Thompson (Steve) and Patricia Ann “Patti” Bird; son, Grady Lee Bird (Joan); grandson, Michael L. Thompson (Stephanie); and great grandchildren, Aubrey Bryanna Thompson and Aiden Grady Thompson; sister, Margie Bird Douglas and brother, Paul Nix Bird (Margie); and a host of nieces and nephews. Special thanks go out to his loving caregiver, Kenneth Kitchens. Viewing will be at Memory Chapel Funeral Home at 9:00 a.m. and graveside service at 10:00 a.m. at Lake Park Hills Cemetery on Saturday, August 28th. Brother Richard Williams will officiate. Pallbearers will be Michael Thompson, Ian Douglas, Jason Bird, Karl Kaiser, Jim Rose, and Mike Jordan. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Thompson, Ray Warren, James Davis, Howard Robertson, and Kenneth Kitchens. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Grady Eldred Bird

November 2, 1927 - August 23, 2021