Ray Earl Bird, Sr., 81Muncie - Ray Earl Bird, Sr., 81, passed away early Saturday morning, April 29, 2017, at the Willow Bend Health Care Center following a brief illness. He was born on September 9, 1935, in Muncie the son of, Edward and Lela Bird.   Ray attended Muncie Central High School and later married Joyce (Dennis) Bird on February 20, 1965, in Muncie.  Mr. Bird had worked as a machinist for Delco- Remy for 30 years prior to his retirement in 1986.  He was well known as a fast pitch softball pitcher for many years, playing for both the Mid-West Towel in Muncie team and the Plymouth Club of Marion team.  Ray was eventually inducted in the Indiana Softball Hall of Fame in 1988 and was also a member of the American Softball Association,  loved the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds and fishing when he could.  Driving around the Prairie Creek Reservoir helped to create family memories for him.Besides his wife of 52 years, Joyce, he is survived by three daughters, Debbie Thompson (husband-Don), Swayzee, Jenny Bonnell (companion-Dion), Oakville and Kathy Mong (husband-Mike), Somerset, Kentucky; one son, Ray Bird, Jr. (wife-Fay), Portland; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Michael Bird (wife-Diane), Muncie; and Gary Bird, Muncie; one brother-in-law, Charlie Jennings, Marion; several great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday evening, May 4, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. a brief family remembrance will take place at the Parson Mortuary.Online condolences may be made to the family in care of www.parsonmortuary.com.