William " Jim" James Bird

William James Bird (Jim), 83, of Townsend, MT, passed away in Helena, MT, on March 14, 2024.

Son of William Hoyt Bird and Lucille Bird (Carter), he was born February 2, 1941, in Sydney, MT. Jim was number seven among nine children. They lived in Lambert, MT, until he was six months old, then went on to Kalispell, MT, where he attended and graduated from Kalispell High School in 1960.

After high school, Jim directly enlisted in the Army National Guard and was sent to Fort Sill, OK, for basic training. He served in the National Guard approximately six years in various areas throughout Montana. He was an artillery crew member in the 154 Artillery where he advanced in rank to Staff-Sergeant. During his time in the service, he served in multiple positions. He loved to tell stories about cooking for the men. He said he was chosen often for KP because “Bird” was at the top of the list. He was a Training Sergeant, a CBR Warfare Specialist, Sergeant of the Guard, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Acting First Sergeant.

In 1963, Jim attended University of Montana in Missoula, completing three years of study in Wildlife Biology. He continued to study and learn all his life. Jim didn’t complete his degree because Montana Fish and Wildlife offered him a position with them as Game Warden, including on-the-job training – starting immediately. Jim was a Game Warden for 29 years, and during that time served as Field Training Officer and Firearms Instructor before retiring. He found he wasn’t ready to retire, so worked about three years for the Census Bureau and another ten years at the Helena Federal Reserve, before actually retiring.

Because of his position as Game Warden, Jim moved to Townsend, MT, where, through her father, Paul Hahn, he met Beverly Jean Hahn. They were married September 13, 1969, in the Hahn Family living room. They purchased and ran a small farm. They were married for 54 years. Their children are Cory Bird and Eric Bird.

Jim loved fishing, hunting, fly-tying, gem-stone faceting, gunsmithing, woodworking, hiking, playing softball, basketball, and loved living vicariously through his grandkids in sports and music. He loved children, telling stories, teaching the things he loved to others, and just being a good friend. He was a lover of people.

Jim was a Boy Scout leader, baseball coach, and taught Hunter’s Safety courses for thirty years. He was a member of Mountain Valley Church, the Lions Club, and Jaycees.

Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly Bird; sons, Cory Bird (wife, Jennilee Bird) and Eric Bird (wife, Sarah Bird); grandchildren, Emily Bird, Tanner Bird, Tyler Bird, Benaiah Bird, Noelle Bird, Eowyn Bird, and Eva Bird. He is also survived by his sisters, Donnadell Sampson and Patty Keeler (husband, Ray Keeler); as well as numerous brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces and cousins.

He is preceded in death by father-William Hoyt Bird; mother-Lucille Bird; siblings-Eugene Bird, Carol Searle, Marilyn Meyers, Robert Bird, Theodore Bird, and Michael Bird.

A memorial service was held March 23, 2024, at Mountain Valley Church in Townsend, MT.  Simple Cremation Montana assisted the family. 

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