William D. (Bill) Bailey, Sr., the son of William Ross and Elizabeth Ann (Johnson) Bailey, was born March 25, 1921 in Phelps City, Missouri. He attended Phelps City schools.

Bill was united in marriage to Mary Margaret Tallant on April 6, 1940, south of Phelps City and they became the parents of eight children. On September 1, 1943, he entered the United States Marine Corp and proudly served his country overseas during World War II. He drove a truck in the service, hauling munitions, until his honorable discharge on September 27, 1945. Bill was very proud of being a Marine, and his family has many fond memories of him playing the Marine Corp Hymn on his harmonica.

After returning home from the service, Bill farmed in the Phelps City area. He then began his career as an over the road truck driver, retiring in 1985 from Consolidated Freight. During this time, he also worked helping to build the Brownville Bridge, Cooper Nuclear Station, South of Brownville, Nebraska and Interstate 29. Mary passed away March 21, 2009. Bill passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Rock Port at the age of 88 years.

Bill was the greatest “Dad” anyone could ask for. He loved to hunt, fish, go dancing with Mary, and play the harmonica. He especially loved his family and talking with the many people he met throughout his life. He never knew a stranger. Bill was a member of the Teamsters Union and the Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port.

Besides his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Bailey, brother, Eugene Bailey, sons-in-law, Lester Maddox and Horace Avrett.

Survivors include his children, Mary Ann Avrett, Fairfax, Missouri, Betty Jane Cook and her husband, Sonny, Rock Port, William D. Bailey, Jr., and his wife, Ernestene, Sherivon, Arkansas, Sue Jochim and her husband, Albert, Platte City, Missouri, Donna Faye Maddox, Phelps City, Missouri, Edith Peters and Bill Willis, Hamburg, Iowa, Charlie Ross Bailey and his wife, Judy, and Edward Leroy Bailey, all of Panama City Beach, Florida, 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, brother, Raymond Bailey and his wife, Beth, Cisco, Texas, sisters, Arlene Swindle and her husband, Jim, Colorado City, Texas, Phyllis Swindle and her husband, Jack, Abilene, Texas, and sister-in-law, Delores Bailey, Abilene.

Graveside Service and Interment:
2:00 pm, Friday, July 31, 2009, Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port.
There is no scheduled family visitation.
Memorials: Hunter Cemetery or Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, both of Rock Port.
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.