12/10/2025 – Clinton, SC

   William “Billy” Russell Bird, age 65, of Lancaster, SC, passed away, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Hospice of Laurens County, in Clinton, SC. He was surrounded by his family members. 

   Born December 9, 1960 in Springfield, MA., Billy was the son of the late Donald Ware and Martha Hester Bird. 

William (Billy) Bird lived a full life as a special-needs citizen, and was dearly loved by his family, caregivers, and friends. Billy traveled extensively throughout the US and loved the beach! He enjoyed cruises to Canada and Alaska. Billy enjoyed horseback riding, Special Olympics, bocce ball, bowling, and Putt-Putt golf. Billy had artistic talent. He made and sold paintings and ceramics over the years. 

He enjoyed his many years at his two group homes: Clingman Home in Winston-Salem, NC & Hoffman Home in Gastonia, NC. Billy also enjoyed his last 21 months of life at VIA Partners Hospice House of Laurens County, where he was well-cared for by the staff. A special thank you to Via Partners Laurens County Hospice House staff, whom he loved dearly. 

Billy also enjoyed his adult daycare at the Enrichment Center of Winston-Salem, NC and the Enrichment Center of Kings Mountain, NC as well. Billy would like to THANK all his many caregivers throughout his lifetime by letting them know that their efforts made a real difference for him and hope that these efforts will continue to make a real difference in the lives of those who need them. Throughout Billy’s 65 years he enriched hundreds if not thousands of people in his lifetime.

   Billy is survived by his sister, Pamela Joan Bird and wife, Lisa Purvis Bird of Lancaster, SC; brother, Kenneth Marshall Bird and his wife, Debbie Watson Bird of Buford, GA; nieces, Rachael Bird Hamm and Jennifer Bird Bell and husband, Ryan Bell. Great -nieces and great-nephews, Anthony Hamm, Jr., Brantley Hamm, Lila Bell, and Brooks Bell. (Uncle)Robert Hutchings Bird, and (Aunt)Dorothy Bird Price and her husband Leighton Price as well as many cousins. 

   Predeceased Relatives include Dr. Clarence E. Bird (paternal grandfather) and Anna Barker Bird (paternal grandmother). Marshall Hester (maternal grandfather) and Tesse Ullela Hester (maternal grandmother), Richard Cranson Bird (Uncle) and wife, Jeanne Derderian Bird, Marjorie Bird wife of Robert H Bird. Emily Hester McKenzie (Aunt) and husband, Oren Taylor McKenzie, David Price (Cousin).

   Funeral Services celebrating Billy’s life will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, December 14, 2025 at  Pierce Jefferson Funeral Home in Kernersville, NC with Pastor Gary Mahathey officiating. A private family interment will follow in the Eastlawn Gardens of Memory in Kernersville, NC.

   The family will greet friends prior to the service Sunday from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the Pierce Jefferson Funeral Home in Kernersville, NC.

   Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.grayfuneralhome.com. Or www.piercejeffersonfuneralhome.com    

All donations should be sent to VIA Partners Hospice House of Lauren’s county IPU. 

Pierce Jefferson Funeral Home of Kernersville is assisting the Bird family with services.