Byron Robert Bird Sr., age 84 of Amery, passed away on May 24, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Croix Falls after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. Byron was born January 23, 1926 to John and Olga (Aase/Palmberg) Bird in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Byron's childhood years were spent growing up on a couple farms in Clayton, Wisconsin. Byron enjoyed watching wrestling and the show Victory at Sea, dancing, hunting all sorts of wild game, raising wild critters, dogs, and birds, traveling, and flying his three different airplanes. In 1943 he enlisted in the US Navy to serve in World War II and was discharged in 1946. In 1946 Byron was united in marriage to Betty Fouks. He worked throughout the years as a farmer and putting in septic systems. In 1966 he found his true companion in Betty Bergstedt. They would spend their life together in a harmonious way that few find in life. In the 1980s, Byron started Tac-Lo-Ban outside of Amery and named the establishment after an island he'd visited in the Philippines while in the service.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents John Bird and Olga Palmberg; son Bruce Alan Bird; grandson Jeremy Byron Bird; and brother-in-law Paul King. He is survived by Betty Bergstedt; daughter Bren Nel Ward (Jim) of Dresser; Byron Bird Jr. (Susan) of Amery, Jeff Bird (Charlyn) of Centuria; and Robin (Diana) of Flower Mound, Texas. Grandchildren Michael Ward (Sandy) of Dresser; Melissa Ward (Brad) of Dresser; Shaun (Danyiel) Bird of New Richmond; Danielle Bird of Flower Mound; Alexia Bird (Philippines); and six great grandchildren (Jessica, Carver, Gavin, Lauren, Brooklin, and Morgan.) Also left to mourn his passing are his two sisters, Florence (John) Hubert of Amery and Dolores King of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Peggy and Jeff Green and family and many nieces and nephews also share in the family's loss.

A visitation will be held at Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, Wisconsin on Tuesday, May 25 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 26, at Elim Lutheran Church in Range.