A great man, cherished husband, devout father, loyal son and brother and beloved grandfather, great-grandfather, trustworthy boss and steadfast friend, quietly slipped into the eternities on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at his riverside home in Wanship, UT. His devoted sweetheart, Della Ann Bulloch Bird, and daughter were by his side.
\"Ed\" was born on July 6, 1922 to Edwin Singleton and Clarissa Harriett Gold Bird in Salt Lake City, UT, the eldest of 8 children. At a very young age, during the great depression, he learned the value of hard work which he did all of his life. He had a horseback paper route, wedded beets, herded cows and anything else he could to help his family make ends meet. When he was old enough he hauled coal for his dad from Carbon County, loaded freight cars by hand for "Sand and Gravel\", peddled produce all over Idaho and learned the fine art of trading, which he did all of his life. In January 1941, after Pearl Harbor was bombed, he joined the United States Navy where he completed basic training in Farragut, Idaho and then was placed in P.T. squadron #26. He trained with them at Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. On their shakedown cruise, Senator Harry Truman came to ride with them. They loaded the P.T. boats on a standard oil tanker to transport to the South Pacific. He was forever changed while serving his country in WWII and very rarely ever spoke of that which he experienced there, but even still was a patriot through and through.
On March 24, 1946 Ed married Nyle Smith Bird in Elko, NV and together they had 6 children: Brent (Christine) Bird, Pamela Bird (Deceased), Steven (Tammy- Deceased) Bird, Kathy (Glen) Carlson, Scott (Betty) Bird and Sherry (Brock- Deceased) Andrus. Together they started \"Bird Sand and Gravel\" in 1948 which turned into \"Bird Trucking\" in 1950. He and Nyle welcomed many nephews and nieces a place to lay their heads and fill their bellies. They provided a refuge for many of their friends who always felt welcome.
On September 2, 1989 Ed married his beloved, Della Ann Bulloch in Wanship, UT. He welcomed her three daughters Sylvia (James) Jarrett, Vicky (Reid) Jarrett and Debbie (Dennis) Downey and their children into his heart and life as if they were his own, never distinguishing them as step- children or in-laws. Together Ed and Della further grew Bird trucking and served countless hundreds of family member and friends, hosted gatherings, and accepted everyone into their home and heart with unconditional love and approval. They championed and found great joy in the success of others, a true defining characteristic of their relationships.
Ed had a gift to make everyone feel important and validated. He didn\t have much time for small talk or shallow conversations, but even still he would listen with compassion and concern to anything and offer profound guidance. He could be busily working but the moment somebody walked into his office all work ceased and his undivided attention was given. He offered invaluable life experience, knowledge and side by side training to his family, many of his friends and employees.
Other than his wife and family, Bird Trucking was Ed\s pride and joy! There he provided a lucrative living for them and many others until March 2007 when he sadly watched his last truck leave the yard. Even still, he wasn\t one to retire and so he continued to work at his shop every day until he broke his hip in August 2013. After recovering, he went back to work a couple times a week until this last year when his health began to rapidly decline after a fall and consequent brain injury in February 2015. He absolutely wore out his glorious 93 years of life in work and service to his family, friends and country.
His doting wife, Della, kept him at their riverside home in Wanship, providing supererogatory care until his death. She left nothing undone and happily provided him with everything he needed, and then some. He was the light of her life and delighted in her presence.
Ed is survived by his wife, 8 children, 4 sons-in law, 2 daughters-in-law, siblings- Jay and Virgil (Susan) Bird, Lillian (Rex) Cook, sister-in-law -Shirley Bird, and his 4 legged furry friends Kujo, Foxy and Chopper.
He was preceded in death by his parents, (baby daughter) Pamela Jean, (siblings) Elsie Stebbing, Howard and Leroy Bird, (2 sisters-in-law) Elaine and Miriam Bird, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and (granddaughter) Shawna Andrus.
Services will be held Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Mortuary. Friends may call Friday, November 20, 2015 from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. and one hour before services on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Mortuary 2350 E 1300 So SLC. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery 200 \"N\" St.
We want to express our deepest gratitude for the professional and respectful care given to Ed by Hospice, especially Justin, Cassey, and Kaylee and to our dear friends Penny, Troy Horman and Mary, Sylvia, Becky and Nate and his little brother, Virgil. They have given their heart and soul to providing an extension and quality of life that wouldn\t have been possible without their exceptional loving support. Our hearts are full of gratitude for you.
