~ IN MEMORY ~
LAX/ATL WA/DL Flt. Control/Dispatcher Robert “Bob” Shelley Baird
October 29, 1937 – January 6, 2026
Bob attended Airline School which helped him get a job with Western Airlines. This was the beginning of a distinguished 49 year career……started with Western as a clerk and worked his way to becoming a dispatcher and eventually Director of Flight Control for Western Airlines………..after a merger with Delta Air Lines, he stayed in a management role and moved to Atlanta GA. …..his final years with Delta doing what he loved best, dispatching airplanes. Bob was a pioneer in his field……
Bob hired on with Western 12-14-1957 and was based LAX.
OBITUARY
Robert S. Baird Passed away peacefully, Tuesday January 6th at Cache Valley Assisted Living in Providence UT. He was born, the first of three children, to Bob and Annie Baird in Hailey ID, October 29th, 1937.
“Bob”, as he was known to all except his mother, was raised in and around Melba ID where he graduated from Melba High School in 1955. Following High School, he was afforded the opportunity to attend Airline School which helped him get a job with Western Airlines. This was the beginning of a distinguished 49 year career. He started with Western as a clerk and worked his way to becoming a dispatcher and eventually Director of Flight Control for Western Airlines. In 1986 after a merger with Delta Airlines, he stayed in a management role and moved to Atlanta GA. He decided to step away from management towards the end of his career and spent his final years with Delta doing what he loved best, dispatching airplanes. Bob was a pioneer in his field. If you spend time with those who have worked with him, you will hear numerous stories of how his innovations were not only essential to the success of Western Airlines but shared with other airlines as well.
In December of 1960 Bob married Janis Rene Leonhardt. They had one child, Bart, and would move to Inglewood CA. Bob and Janis divorced in 1971. In April of 1972 Bob Married Wanda Hope Williamson. She had four sons, Dennis, Larry, Keith, and Jeff.
Bob and Wanda lived in Carson CA until 1986 and then moved to Georgia, eventually building a home in Fayetteville and living there for over 35 years. Together they enjoyed square dancing and working in their yard. They were very avid square dancers and had the opportunity to dance all over the country together. Bob loved fishing and NASCAR. He and his brother-in-law Jim had season tickets to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for a number of years. He especially enjoyed his beloved Atlanta Braves. He lived in Los Angeles for twenty-five years as a devoted Braves fan with disdain for the LA Dodgers.
While in Georgia, Bob and Wanda became members of the Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church of Fayetteville. So many of their best friends came through this association. When Wanda passed in June of 2021 Harp’s became a lifeline to Bob as his friends wrapped their arms around him and helped him through his grief. In 2024 Bob Moved to Utah. His declining health had made it too difficult for his family to care for him long distance. He hated to leave Georgia and went “kicking and screaming” but as was Bob’s nature he developed new friends and he was a joy to the residents at Blacksmith Fork and Cache Valley Assisted Livings. Dementia stole so much from Bob, it is truly a blessing for him to be reunited with Wanda and other loved ones. But despite the challenges he faced he was always able, in his own way, to keep his loving nature and sly sense of humor and quick wit.
As a family we (as well as Bob) would like to thank those who have helped him through his final journey. His good friend and Pastor Ken Helms as well as all the members of his Harps Crossing family. His friends and neighbors David and Ariska Griggs. His nurse in GA and friend to he and Wanda over the years Jacklyn Holcombe. With out you all he would not have been able to stay in Georgia as long as he was able to. His friends and the staff at Cache Valley and Blacksmith Fork Assisted Livings. Special thanks to Shana and her staff at CVAL and his nurse Beckie and Atlas Home Health and Hospice for loving care and support.
Bob is survived by his sons James Dennis Williamson (Suzan) Lampe MO, Lawrence Williamson (Penny) Colleyville TX, Johnnie Keith Williamson (Nancy) Seattle WA, Bart Baird (Heidi) Hyrum UT, and Jeffery Williamson, (Jennifer) Huntersville NC, 15 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren and a sister-in-law Jelene Baird.
Bob was cremated with the services of Premier Mortuary of Roy Utah. No formal services are scheduled at this time. He will be interred with his wife Wanda in Jasper Alabama. His family, and I am sure Bob as well, would like to thank those who have helped him over the last few years.
