William E. Birdsong
CARROLLTON—William Edwin “Tom” Birdsong, 71, died March 26, 2009, while at Sentara Heart Hospital.
Mr. Birdsong was born in Jackson, N.C., on May 23, 1937, and was a native of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
He graduated from Roanoke Rapids High School in 1956, where he excelled in football and baseball, receiving a full scholarship to the University of Richmond.
He retired from Newport News Shipbuilding in 1994 and 36 years of service as a General Foreman in the X18 Welding Dept.
He was an accomplished hunter and a long-standing member of the R&R Hunt Club in Branchville and the Meherrin Hunt Club in Greensville County.
His joy of hunting was accompanied by his love of raising and training deerhounds. He regularly attended Calvary Baptist Church in Smithfield, and accepted the Lord as his Savior in 1995.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Shelby S. Birdsong; his son, William E. “Bill” Birdsong II and wife Janet; two daughters, Karen B. Grigg and husband Randy and Kelly B. Birdsong, all of Carrollton; two sisters, Mildred Massey of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and Rosalee Munford of Rocky Mount, N.C.; numerous nieces, nephews and family friends also survive him.
A funeral service was held Monday at Calvary Baptist Church, Smithfield, by the Pastor Dan Gray, with burial following at St. Lukes Cemetery.
Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the building fund of Calvary Baptist Church or to the Carrollton Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
Condolences may be sent to www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.