Baird, Reginald

Reginald Baird, 99, Oneida, formerly of Manitowoc, WI. Passed away Sunday evening, January 7, 2018 at Anna John Resident Centered Care Community in Oneida, where he had resided for a number of years. Reggie was born December 29, 1918 at Oneida, the son of the late Laban and Hattie (Smith) Baird.
He attended Oneida Mission School in his early years before his family moved to Manitowoc. He attended Manitowoc schools and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1937. On June… 22, 1946 he married Carol Powless, the daughter of the late Isaac and Margaret (Metoxen) Powless at St. James Episcopal Church in Manitowoc, they enjoyed 56 years of marriage and she preceded him in death on November 22, 2002.
Reggie was the oldest living tribally enrolled member of the Oneida Nations of the U.S. Army Veteran of World War II having attained the rank of Tech Sergeant and serving with the 32nd Infantry Division during the New Guinea and the Philippine Island campaigns. He was a lifetime member of the Otto Oas VFW Post #659 in Manitowoc.
After the war Mr. Baird attended Manitowoc Vocational School and trained as a mason and bricklayer. He was briefly employed with Kasper Construction Co. of Manitowoc and had worked for over 30 years with Hoffman Construction Co. of Two Rivers, Wis., retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Bricklayers & Allies Crafts Union, Local 11 of Wis. all of his working life.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Peter (Pam) Baird of Honeoye Falls, NY and Richard (Brenda) Baird of Oneida; five grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; four brothers, Laban W., Allen, Calvin, and Kenneth; and two sisters, Rebecca and Miriam.
Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, January 12, 2018 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere, Wis. Visitation will continue on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at St. James Episcopal Church, 434 N. 8th St, Manitowoc. WI. Funeral service will follow at 10:00 AM at church with Rev. Diane Murray officiating. Burial will be in Knollwood Memorial Garden in the Town of Kossuth. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send a condolence to the Baird family.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Kennard, Oneida Community Health Center, as well as his nurses and caretakers at Anna John Resident Centered Care Community for their kindness, care and compassion. The family also wishes to thank Kerry Metoxen, his staff and the members of the Wisconsin Indians Veteran Association.