Dr. Stephen C. Bird, 69, of Parkersburg departed this life on Friday, May 9, 2008, in Williamstown, after a short illness.

Dr. Bird was born on March 7, 1939, at Bluefield, W.Va., a son of the late Ward and Eliza Jane Harden Bird. He was a graduate of Princeton High School, Princeton, W.Va., with the class of 1957, Concord College, and West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1966. He was a Doctor of Dental Surgery with dental practices in both Harrisville and Parkersburg for many years and was a member of the American Dental Association. He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates as a representative from Wood County for multiple terms and was a U.S. Army veteran, retiring after 20 years with the rank of Colonel in the West Virginia National Guard. Other memberships include Harrisville Lodge No. 98, A.F. & A.M., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and the American Legion Post 200, Charleston, W.Va. He was a Baptist by faith.

He is survived by his children, Elisabeth Bird of Davie, Fla., Rachel Spicola of Morgantown, W.Va., Stephen C. Bird II of Montgomery, W.Va., and their mother, Bunny Bird of Parkersburg; eldest daughter, Debra Shawyer of Coconut Creek, Fla.; half-brother, Earl Durham of Ceres, Va.; grandchildren, Noah Bird and Emily Kerby; great-grandson, Colten Gilmore; friend, Tina Frederick of Parkersburg; and his office manager for 36 years, Paula Morton of Cairo, W.Va.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Bird was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Stephanie Bird; and a half-brother, Randal Durham.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Raiguel Funeral Home, Harrisville, with the Rev. Jim Mike Ward officiating. Interment will be beside his infant daughter, Stephanie, in the Walnut Grove Cemetery at Bluefield, W.Va., at the convenience of the family. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and after 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are preferred to the WVU Foundation, School of Dentistry, 1 Waterfront Place, Morgantown, WV 26501.

Dr. Stephen C. Bird, 69, of Parkersburg departed this life on Friday, May 9, 2008, in Williamstown, after a short illness.

Dr. Bird was born on March 7, 1939, at Bluefield, W.Va., a son of the late Ward and Eliza Jane Harden Bird. He was a graduate of Princeton High School, Princeton, W.Va., with the class of 1957, Concord College, and West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1966. He was a Doctor of Dental Surgery with dental practices in both Harrisville and Parkersburg for many years and was a member of the American Dental Association. He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates as a representative from Wood County for multiple terms and was a U.S. Army veteran, retiring after 20 years with the rank of Colonel in the West Virginia National Guard. Other memberships include Harrisville Lodge No. 98, A.F. & A.M., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and the American Legion Post 200, Charleston, W.Va. He was a Baptist by faith.

He is survived by his children, Elisabeth Bird of Davie, Fla., Rachel Spicola of Morgantown, W.Va., Stephen C. Bird II of Montgomery, W.Va., and their mother, Bunny Bird of Parkersburg; eldest daughter, Debra Shawyer of Coconut Creek, Fla.; half-brother, Earl Durham of Ceres, Va.; grandchildren, Noah Bird and Emily Kerby; great-grandson, Colten Gilmore; friend, Tina Frederick of Parkersburg; and his office manager for 36 years, Paula Morton of Cairo, W.Va.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Bird was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Stephanie Bird; and a half-brother, Randal Durham.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Raiguel Funeral Home, Harrisville, with the Rev. Jim Mike Ward officiating. Interment will be beside his infant daughter, Stephanie, in the Walnut Grove Cemetery at Bluefield, W.Va., at the convenience of the family. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and after 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are preferred to the WVU Foundation, School of Dentistry, 1 Waterfront Place, Morgantown, WV 26501.