Brevard – Roy G. Bird, of See Off Mountain Road, Brevard, NC, formerly of Waukegan, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
Roy was born on July 11, 1931 in Kalamazoo, MI and had lived in Waukegan for many years before retiring to Brevard.
He was retired from the U. S. Government Navy Printing and Publications at Great-Lakes, IL. After retirement, he worked in the Maintenance Department of Schools and County Buildings in Transylvania County. Roy served on the Connestee Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years.
He was awarded the Purple Heart during the Korean Conflict while serving the U. S. Army. A life member of the military of the Purple Heart Chapter 223 in Waukegan, he was also a member of Disabled American Veterans NC14, the Loyal Order of the Moose #706 in Waukegan and #1769 in Brevard and he held many chairs of the Order. Roy was a past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4309 and Past District Commander of District #17 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Roy is survived by his wife, Dorothy Andersson-Bird; three daughters, Cindy (Harry) Barker of Gurnee, IL, Frances (Brian) Christiansen of Zion, IL, Diane (Greg) Nadelhoffer of Gurnee, IL; two step-sons, George (Sally) Andersson of Zion, IL and Rolf (Carol) Andersson of Wadsworth, IL; one brother, Harry (Shirleen) Bird of Kalamazoo, MI; one sister, Edna (Bob) Engberts of Kalamazoo, MI; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Wollbrink Bird, his parents, Roy F. and Margaret McNally Bird, one brother, Tom Bird, and his youngest daughter, Donna Ponticelli.
The funeral service will be held at 9:30 am Tuesday, October 25, 2016 in the Moody-Connolly Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at 12 noon at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mtn., NC, with military rites conducted by the Transylvania County Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 pm on Monday, October 24, 2016 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Connestee Fire Dept. or to the VFW Post #4309 in Brevard.
On line condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

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