Obituary of Marshall Coles Bird

Marshall Coles Bird, 92, passed away on May 27, 2022, at Still Hopes in West Columbia after a long illness.  He was born on November 29, 1929, in Lowell, Mass., to Clarence Henry Bird and Barbara Coles (Brown) Bird.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lillian M. Bird, and a brother, Gordon F. Bird of Spencer, Mass.  He is also survived by three daughters and their families, Carolyn Bird Carter, Marilyn Jean Rabon (Wayne) and Barbara Bird Sawyer (Steve) as well as by five grandchildren, Laura Carter (Jim Hovan), Eric Carter (Nicole), Kristen Rabon, Callie Rabon and Ashley Sawyer Sheets (Taylor), and five great-grandchildren, James and Bradley Hovan and Penelope, Beckett, and Noii Carter.

Marshall was a textile engineer and a mechanical engineer for various companies in Massachusetts and South Carolina and retired from John D. Hollingsworth Inc. in Mauldin.  He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.  He enjoyed traveling with his wife, playing bridge, fishing, watching sports, driving his 1953 Ford, and most of all, being with his family.  He was a Master Mason for 65 years at Eden Lodge, Ware, Mass.

Marshall was a member of a church in each place he lived, the last being Mauldin United Methodist Church.  He was a charter member of three churches in the Columbia area, and he was a deacon at Providence Presbyterian Church in West Columbia.

A quotable quote from his brother Gordon: “If you want someone loyal, call Marshall.  If you want someone honest, call Marshall.  If you want someone to do the job, call Marshall.”  He said he couldn’t have had a better brother.

Those who knew Marshall may have noticed that he always said “so long” instead of “goodbye.”  While we’re sadly saying “so long” to him now, we are encouraged that we will all be together again in time.    

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Mausoleum Chapel of Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC, with the service lead by Rev. Michael T. Bragan at 2 p.m.  Interment, with US Air Force honors, will follow at Woodridge Memorial Park.

Marshall Bird's funeral service will be webcast. To view the service online, click on this link

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.