William “Bill” Austin Birdsong Sr., 77, passed away at his home on Aug. 14, 2016. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, beginning at 4 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m. at Edwards United Methodist Church in Edwards.

Mr. Birdsong was a life long resident of Edwards.  He was born on July 26, 1939. He graduated high school in Edwards and attended Hinds Community College graduating in 1959. In the 1960s he was in the logging business. He farmed in Edwards through the 1970s and into the early 1980s until he became employed at Cal-Maine Foods where he worked until his retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Gail Costilow Birdsong; his sons, Bill Birdsong Jr. (Dorothy), Jon Birdsong (Robyn) and Lee Birdsong; his daughter, Dawn Crosby (Thad); grandchildren, Austin Birdsong, Colton Birdsong, Levi Birdsong, Brennan Crosby, Lindsey Crosby, John Michael Crosby, Jason Grafton (Nikki), Mary Beth Addington (Andrew) and Jack Nowell (Caroline); and three great-grandchildren; sister, Marilyn Birdsong Bell (Oliver).

Donations may be made to Edwards United Methodist Church and Bolton United Methodist Church.