William Ernest Bird and Myrtle Wells Bird

William Ernest Bird (1890-1975) attended Cullowhee High School and graduated in 1911 from Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School. After earning a graduate degree in 1920, he returned to Cullowhee as an English instructor. Bird primarily served in the dual roles of professor-administrator for Western Carolina College till his retirement in 1956 except for a two year period during which he served as the acting president. Bird met his wife Myrtle while at Cullowhee School and married her in 1916