Lloyd Wilbur Baird

Lloyd Wilbur Baird, Jr.,74, was born January 29, 1945 in Laurinburgh, North Carolina. May 30, 2019 he was peacefully loved into Heaven with his wife and family by his side.

He was the second of eleven children born to Lloyd Wilbur Baird, Sr. and Bonnie Margaret Watson Baird. Buz, as he was lovingly known, spent his early years in North Carolina and New York. At the age of 15, his father was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. There, Buz attended Irvin High School and met the love of his life, Linda Matlock. They were married Nov. 20, 1965 at Northgate Baptist Church. They spent 53 wonderful years together and raised two children, Tracy and Tammy.

Buz always came up with the neatest things to do. He and Linda had great fun together. He loved hunting and boating. You could often find him on Elephant Butte Lake barefoot skiing! Buz and Linda rode Harleys coast-to-coast. They enjoyed competition shooting with the Single Action Shooting Society. But Buz’s passion was restoring antique cars and motorcycles. He was restoring his father’s Model A up until the time of his passing. One of his last sentiments was, "At least I got to hear it run!"

In his early years, Buz worked as a commercial engraver. For 25 years, Buz was first a Brakeman, then Engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad. He also owned Rino’s Automotive in Albuquerque for over twenty years.

Buz was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Bonnie Baird and two sisters, Margaret Ann and Donna Mae. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Faye Baird, son Lloyd Wilbur Baird, III. and wife Michelle, and his daughter Tammy Baird. His two grandchildren are Chelsea Baird and Kayla Kanak, married to Michael. His great-grandchildren are Natalie and Corey Kanak.

Buz was loved by his many brothers and sisters; Patricia Beeman and husband Michael, Doug Baird and wife Patty, Vaida Prather and husband Carey, Jenny Keily, Robert Baird and wife Freda, John Baird, Richard Baird, Charles Baird and wife Lisa. He made lasting impressions on his 18 nieces and nephews and 19 great-nieces and nephews.

Buz had a wonderful life! As beautifully expressed in a poem by Nekia-Brooke Thompson, we know that Buz would say

that "When tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me remember I’m right here in your heart!"

Services will be held at the Church At The Butte, Aug. 3, 2019, 2:00 p.m.

516 NM-195, Elephant Butte, NM 87935

The family considers donations to the American Heart Association a lovely tribute.