William Arthur ""Bill Baird

Always a hard worker, Bill started working after school, at the age of 14. In 1968, he was drafted to the U.S. Army. While at Chemical Corps School in Fort McClellan, Alabama, he met the love of his life, Myra, on a blind date. They were married in 1969.

After the completion of his military duty in 1970, Bill returned to Houston and his previous job at Gulf Oxygen Co. Bill soon became a member of Teamster Local 1111. Bill eventually worked for and retired from the Port Terminal Railroad Association. He enjoyed family vacations and traveling, visiting 26 states and 8 countries throughout his lifetime. His favorite trip was to the Virgin Islands. When he was younger, he loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed barbecuing with the Bayou Boys Cookers at Rodeo time. He was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Association. Bill later became interested in restoring antique cars and was a member of the Bayou City Cruisers and North Houston Street Rod car clubs. He also had an appreciation for nature and wildlife, and took pleasure watching the deer at his home-away-from-home in Bandera, Texas.

Preceding him in death are his father Wallace, mother Hazel, and brother James. Bill is survived by his wife of 39 years, Myra Baird; his daughter Cheryl Dollins and her husband Dan; his daughter Bobbie Cumpston and her husband Jeremy; son in his heart James Siros and his wife Melinda; four grandchildren, Emily, KJ, Cade, and Cole; 1 nephew and 7 nieces.

Friends are invited to visitation from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2009 at Navarre Funeral Home in Baytown. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at Old River Terrace United Methodist Church, 16102 East Fwy., in Channelview with Rev. J. Clayton Whitaker officiating. Interment will follow in San Jacinto Memorial Park in Houston.

The family expresses a heartfelt thanks to the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and to Josh Farmer for assistance with care giving. Contributions in his memory may be directed to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.