William Roger Bird

William (Bill) Bird, 84, gained his eternal wings in the early morning hours on May 30, 2023, with his loving wife and family by his bedside. Bill was born October 11, 1938, in Pocatello, ID, to Leroy William Bird and Gladys Ann Gummersall Bird Martin. He attended school in Pocatello, ID, and busted out of Pocatello High School early to join the Navy at the young age of 16. After serving in the Navy, Bill worked at Swaggarts Meat Packing plant in Pocatello, ID, and various other jobs. Eventually, he followed in his father’s footsteps working for 30-plus years at United Pacific Railroad in Pocatello, ID, as a carman/welder.

Bill was an avid gardener with not one but two green thumbs. He loved sharing his gardening knowledge and the all-natural methods he used to help his plants grow. Bill and his wife Diana took great pride in ensuring their yard was always beautiful, earning them the prestigious Golden Arrow Award 3 different times. Bill was super talented and excelled at anything he tried!! Bill loved to be busy, and in addition to gardening, he was an avid fisherman and very gifted with any craft he tried. Bill made his belts, cell phone, and water bottle holders out of paracord and even knitted his kids their jackets when they were little. Bill loved to tinker and could fix anything. If you had a need, he would always know how to fix it, having about 2 of everything and always willing to share.

He always put his family first, and there wasn’t anything he enjoyed more than weekends and evenings spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, and his local great-grandchild. He shared funny jokes, could always land a ringer in horseshoes, enjoyed any game, and played a mean hand of pinochle. He never met a stranger, and at times while shopping, he would disappear only to be found talking even to those he didn’t know.

Bill is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 61 years, Diana Kay Crippen Bird, son Jeff Roger Bird (Rachael Wilcox), daughter Debra Kay (Preston) Brower, brother David Bird, sister Janice Bicker, grandchildren Michael Bird, Jay (Heather) Combs, Heather Athey (Kyle Padin), and Amanda (Stephen-Taron) Buffat, great-grandchildren Dita, Sterlyn, Ritter, Ryan, Blaza, Paxton, and one on the way in 2023.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother Scott A. Bird.

We invite friends and family to join us Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, 200 N 15th Ave B, Pocatello, ID 83201, to celebrate Bill’s life. The family would love you to share your favorite stories about Bill to lift spirits. The viewing will be at 3:00 p.m., and the service starts at 4:00 p.m. with a light meal to follow in the Fireside Room, where Bill and his wife Diana had their wedding and reception in 1961.

We thank you wholeheartedly for joining us in remembering Bill’s incredible life. Please consider contributing to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of William R. Bird.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Tribute Wall tab above.