Elzy Jay (Bill) Bird

Elzy Jay “Bill” Bird is a Utah artist best known for his oil and watercolor paintings, illustrations for children’s books, architectural drafts, and cartoon animations. He wrote and illustrated the children’s books How Do Bears Sleep? and Ten Tall Tales, among others. He also worked as an animator at Walt Disney Studios and was a draftsman for various architecture firms in Salt Lake City, Utah. His most famous work, The World War II Journals of E. J. Bird, are a compilation of sketches he made in his diary while serving in the U.S. Army during WWII.

Elzy Jay Bird was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 3, 1911. Bill grew up on a farm in his early childhood years, but moved to Salt Lake City at age 13 and completed his high school education there. After graduating high school, Bill went on to attend the University of Utah where he studied art and design. His artistic abilities were developed early in life with help from well-known artists like JT Harwood and Jack Sears.

The Great Depression set in while Bill was receiving his secondary education, so he had to make the choice to give up his studies and find a job. One of his earliest jobs involving art, working as an animator for a local firm, failed for financial reasons, causing Bill and his wife to relocate to Los Angeles to find work. Bill was able to get a job with Walt Disney Studios and also study at the Chouinard Institute in his spare time. After working in California for a time, Bill returned to Utah where he painted, sold, and taught art. He also became Director of the Federal Art Project in Utah and helped organize various art centers in Utah. In 1942, Bill was drafted into the army and served in the Engineering Corps.

Upon completing his service in the military, Bill returned to Utah where he began his 31-year career as an architectural draftsman for various firms in the Salt Lake area. He worked on various projects including banks, homes, churches, and university buildings. After his retirement, Bill continued to paint, and well as write and illustrate several children’s books. He passed away on May 7, 2001.