OBITUARY: William “Larry” Bird

William “Larry” Bird, 74, died Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, in Chilton, surrounded by his family following an extended illness.

Larry was born in 1941 in Kansas City, Kansas to Pearl (Boring) Bird and Donald Cleo Bird. Born and raised in Kansas, Larry left home at the age of 19 and enlisted in the Navy. He served as a shipboard firefighter on the USS Grand Canyon (AD-28) until 1966. Following his retirement from the Navy, Larry traveled throughout the Midwest as a professional musician for more than 40 years. A consummate entertainer, he was never more at home than when he was on stage with his bass guitar and his keen vocal harmonies.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Joanne (Stephan) Bird. Larry is also survived by his sister, Vickie (Bird) Gulley of Coffeyville, Kan.; his two sons, Richard of Kansas City, Kan. and Anthony of Oshkosh; his stepdaughter, Wendy Happel; his five grandchildren: Aaron, Garrett, Vincent, Elizabeth, and Isaac; and his two great-grandchildren, Parker and Logan.

A special thank you to Karen and the entire team from the Calumet County Hospice Agency as well as the nursing and volunteer staff at Atrium Post Acute Care Center of Chilton for their loving care and support.

A memorial prayer service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Neenah, at 5:30 pm on Friday, Oct. 9. The family will be greeting friends and relatives from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Greenlawn Chapel. A memorial fund has been established and can be accessed online: www.youcaring.com/LarryBird.