Wayne Ardell Bird

Passed Away on July 20, 2020

Wayne Ardell Bird, loving husband and father passed away peacefully on July 20, 2020 after a short illness. Wayne was born on June 2, 1944 in Walker, Iowa to Mildred (Hemphill) and Ardell Bird. He was raised in Winthrop, Iowa and graduated from East Buchanan High School. After graduating, he attended a mechanical trade school in Omaha, Nebraska where he met his wife of 56 years, Ann (Priebe). Together they had three children, Scott, Cindy, and Kandy who were raised in Independence, Iowa where he worked at Iowa Ham for many years. In 1986 the family relocated to Tempe, Arizona where many lifelong friends were made at the Riviera Village. Several years later, they moved to Mesa and settled in for the long haul on Gable Avenue. Wayne made friends of neighbors and watched lots of grandchildren grow. He worked at E-Z-GO for 22 years, retiring with Ann in 2009. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and found many hours of enjoyment putzing in the backyard with his garden and relaxing with Ann and the dogs. After retirement, the summers were spent in Iowa with his son’s family, giving rides on his four-wheeler to his dogs and enjoying the quiet cabin on the Wapsi River. They were Sunbirds, not Snowbirds.

Wayne is survived by his wife Ann, son Scott (Allyson) of Central City, Iowa, daughters Cindy of Mesa, Arizona and Kandy (Jim) of Las Vegas, Nevada, eight grandchildren, Ashton, Jimmy, Dylan, Mackenzie, Olivia, Haleigh, Gabby and Aiden, one great grandchild (Ashton is expecting a December arrival), three brothers, Larry (Carol), Steven and Kevin (Wendy), two sisters, Alice and Brenda (Chuck) and seventeen nieces and nephews.

Wayne is preceded in death by his mother Mildred and father Ardell along with two brothers, Jerry and Ivan.

Wayne will be truly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services and burial will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85207, on Monday, July 27th at 10 am. Immediately following, please join us for a gathering at The Chateau located at 7000 E Main Street, Arizona 85207. For everyone’s safety, masks are required.