Homer L. Bird, 85, died August 30, 2008 at Mount Hope, Kansas. He was born April 6, 1923 at Independence, Kansas, the son of Harry C. and Ruth Buckles Bird. Homer grew up on and farmed land two miles east of Albert, Kansas that was originally acquired by his grandfather, passed on to his father, and then passed on to him and his brother, Ted. After graduating from Great Bend High School, he attended Kansas State University for two years then enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 3, 1944. While on leave between assignments, Homer married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Marie Amerine, on May 29, 1944. He then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps until he was discharged on September 17, 1945. Homer was a B-17 bomber pilot during WWII and flew 28 combat missions over northern Italy, the Balkans, and Germany. After the war, he returned to the family farm where he and Virginia raised their son, Lynn, and daughter, Lisa. In addition to his love of the land and his family, Homer was passionate about the game of golf, winning or placing high in many tournaments throughout Kansas as a younger man and later in his life maintaining his health as long as possible in order to play one more time even if it was just a few holes. In his younger days, he enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, and dancing. Throughout his life, he was an avid K-State Wildcats' fan and loved to tell stories and jokes. Homer was quick to offer a helping hand to anyone in need and spent time volunteering with the Great Bend Evening Lions Club, RSVP, and the Barton County Historical Society. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Evening Lions Club, American Legion Argonne Post 180, and Elks Lodge #1127, all of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Bird, Mount Hope, Kansas; son, Lynn Bird, and his wife, Patricia, Boulder, Colorado; daughter, Lisa Riedel, and her husband, Bert, Andale, Kansas; four grandchildren: Jason Bird, Joshua Bird, Stefanie (Bird) Stafford, and Bret Riedel; three great-grandchildren: Colby Bird, Logan Bird, and Jaden Stafford; and five siblings: Daniel Keith Bird, Danville, California; Jean McClelland, Sacramento, California; Kathy Metcalfe, Fairfield, California; Ted Bird, Albert, Kansas, and Max Bird, Tulsa, Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, Kansas with the Reverend Gary Brooks officiating. Inurnment will be in the Hillcrest Memorial Park. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Homer's honor either to the First United Methodist Church or the Barton County Historical Society in care of the funeral home.