William ‘Bill’ Bird Jr.

William “Bill” Bird Jr., 76, of Jonesboro, died Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Union County Hospital in Anna.

He was born April 16, 1945, in West Frankfort, the son of William Carl Sr. and Lula Fox Bird. 

He married Carolyn Clayton on Sept. 26, 1964, in Saratoga.

Mr. Bird is survived by his wife, Carolyn Bird of Jonesboro; a daughter, Sonya (Joe) Jaquet of Jonesboro; a son, Jeremy (Gina) Bird of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, Cody (Rachael) Hand, Kayla Hand and fiancé, Jacob Webb, Emily, Zoey and Chloe Bird; great-grandchildren Connor Stanley, Eleison and Zella Baggotts, and Tyson Webb; a brother, George “Wally” Bird of Anna; a sister, Anne Roessler of Elgin; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Mr. Bird was retired from the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, where he worked many years as a rehab counselor. 

He served on the Jonesboro Fire Department and  on the Kelly Cemetery Board. 

He enjoyed lawn work and riding his John Deere tractor. He was an avid gun collector and enjoyed target shooting. 

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Monday, July 26, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with the Rev. John Annable officiating. Interment was in the Jonesboro Cemetery. 

Memorial donations are requested to be given to the GoFundMe for Jacob Webb’s medical expenses.  

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.