Kenneth was born June 19, 1924 the sixth of seven children to James J. Bird and Bessie S. Terry in Gerster, Missouri where he was raised. He was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Army in England where he was a B17 Flying Fortress bomb leader. Kenneth married Vivian L. Winget April 5, 1956 in Osceola, Missouri. They moved near Greenwood, Missouri where Kenneth worked at area orchards until 1963 when he took a farm job in Pleasant Hill, Missouri working for Joe Henry McKintock. He was baptized at the first Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill. In 1975 they moved to Montrose, Missouri where he worked for Charles Lampkin and then Philip Lampkin until 2001 when Kenneth retired and they moved to Hickory Courts apartments in Appleton City, Missouri. For medical reasons Kenneth moved to Appleton City Manor October of 2004. He passed away at Ellett Memorial Hospital in Appleton City August 8, 2005 at 81 year of age. His marker will be placed near Gerster at King's Prairie Cemetery.
Mr. Bird is survived by his wife, Vivian Lee Bird of the home; one brother Bobby Bird of Waubleau, Missouri; three children, Kenneth Edward Bird of Tipton, Missouri, Penny Lynn Hudson of Blue Springs, Missouri and Stephen Wayne Bird of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; three step-children, Ronald Ray Winget of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Charissa Ann Snider of Columbus Grove, Ohio and Larry Lee Winget of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; five grandchildren, Alisa, Adam, Andria, Kevin and Cody Bird; seven step-grandchildren, Marcy, Shad, Holly, Andy, Angie, Brandy and Ryan; and six great-grandchildren. He dearly loved them all.