W. D. Idleburg Jr.'s Obituary
W.D. Idleburg Jr., affectionately known as "Bird" and by his CB handle "Stagger Lee," was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. He entered eternal rest on November 27, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi.
W.D.'s early childhood was spent in Winstonville and Mound Bayou, MS, where he attended IT Montgomery and John F. Kennedy High School. An exceptional athlete, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals before choosing to attend Jackson State College, where he played baseball, won SWAC Championships, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 54 years, Dorothy Ann Bell Idleburg. To this union, four children were born: Sonia Kay Idleburg Hickman, Gary Lenard Idleburg, Marie Ann Idleburg, and Adrienne Denise Idleburg. W.D. also lovingly fathered Netarsha Griffith and served as the Legal Guardian to Erick Snyder (his youngest brother), whom he supported and cared for throughout his life.
W.D. built a proud career as a truck driver, dedicating more than 45 years to the profession. He began with UPS, drove with ConWay Southern Express, and retired from Yellow Freight in 2021. Moreover, he was known for his humor, honesty, unmistakable personality, line-dancing skills, bluntness, and competitiveness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie Calhoun Snyder and W.D. Idleburg Sr., and by his daughter, Marie Idleburg. He is survived by his bonus parent Francis Idleburg, his grandson Carson Hickman, his siblings Mae, Alice, James, Roger, Tyrone, Herman, Nazree, Lorraine, Erick, Gregory, Valerie, Sylvester, Karen, Diane, Cynthia, Derrick, Brian, Kelvin, Genelle, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended relatives.
He also leaves behind cherished family members: Carolyn Marion, Linder Bell Taylor, and Romal Bell.
Known to many simply as Bird, he never said "goodbye", only "Later."
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