Winford W. “Birdy” Birdyshaw, 87, of Flora Ave. in Holiday, Fla. and formerly of Dowagiac, died at 7:35 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 at Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, Fla.

He was born on Sept. 9, 1923 in Franklin County, Ala. to Walter and Vader (Moon) Birdyshaw.

He moved to Holiday Florida from Dowagiac in 2006.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Navy and retired from Clark Equipment Company.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie (Boswell) Birdyshaw, who died May 9, 2003 as well as a daughter, Lovanda Clark; brothers and sisters.

He is survived by daugher Gail Derry of Palm Harbor, Fla., son Wayne Birdyshaw of Niles; grandson Chad Derry of Grand Rapids; granddaughter Angelina Finnigan of Carmel, Ind.; great-grandson Ryan Finnigan also of Carmel and brother Russell Birdyshaw in Leesburg, Fla.

Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Mausoleum Chapel at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens with the pastor Andrew Rodriguez of Buchanan officiating.

Burial will take place at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

There will be no visitation. Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.