Aug. 12, 1925 – Dec. 26, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Hendrick Jefferson Laird Sr., 87, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, will be at 11 a.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Kramer officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors and Masonic Rites under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at the funeral home.

Mr. Laird was born Aug. 12, 1925, in Lincoln County, the son of Enoch Lincoln Laird and Ouida Cleo Thompson Laird.

Mr. Laird was a Mason, a Shriner and member of Harmony Lodge No. 1, Rosalie Commandery No. 5 Knights Templar, Grand York Rite Bodies and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 75. He was retired from Johns Manville Corporation.

Mr. Laird enjoyed hunting, fishing and relaxing at home with his beloved family and many friends.

Mr. Laird was a World War II veteran and served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946. He fought in the Pacific Theatre and witnessed the original American flag-raising on Iwo Jima, Semper Fi.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Edith Eunice Welch Laird; three children, Hendrick Jeff Laird Jr. and wife, Lynda, of Wilmington, N.C. and Natchez, Glynn A. Laird Sr. and wife, Mary Lou and Margie Laird Credle and fiancé, Nick Rushing, all of Natchez; five grandchildren, Hendrick J. Laird III, G. Allen Laird Jr. and wife, Melinda, Dawn Credle Quaranta and husband, Mike, Elizabeth Laird Bohannon and husband, Blake, Benjie Credle and wife, Jessi; and six great-grandchildren, Addison Laird, Ava Credle, Anabella Laird, Paxton Johns, Christian Quaranta and Henry Bohannon.

Pallbearers will be Hendrick Jeff Laird Jr., Hendrick J. Laird III, G. Allen Laird Jr., Benjie Credle, Kent Welch and Nick Rushing.

Honorary pallbearers will be Masonic brothers and Mr. Carl Flowers.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, Jefferson Street United Methodist Church building fund or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.