Bill Bailey

Billie J. "Bill" Bailey, age 79, of Mt. Calm, passed away late Sunday night, August 31, 2008 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Msgr. Isidore Rozycki officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Mt. Calm Cemetery, conducted by West V.F.W. Post No. 4819. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Mr. Bailey was born August 29, 1929 in Burk Burnett, the son of William F. and Maggie (Walker) Bailey. He attended school in Axtell. Bill served his country with the United States Navy and the United States Air Force in the late 1950's. On February 28, 1959 he was united in marriage to Irene Kolar in Reno, Nevada. Bill was a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, raising quail and pheasant, racing cars at the Heart of Texas Speedway, traveling, and he especially loved spending time with his family. Bill was known as a good and honest gentleman who loved life. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and a former member of the Mt. Calm Volunteer Fire Department where he helped organize the department and build the fire station. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jack Bailey and an infant; and a sister, Mildred Patterson. Survivors include his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Irene Bailey of Mt. Calm; a son, Marvin Bailey and wife Annette of Mt. Calm; three daughters, Jackie Lane and Mildred Thompson and husband Randy, all of Mt. Calm, and Billie "Bitsy" Caldwell of West; two sisters, Mary Alice Holloway of Waco and Joy Jupe of Tours; eleven grandchildren, Heath Lane, Justin Bailey, Brittany Ballew, Shannon Bailey, Heather Travers, Billie Jo Allen, Ashley Kris, Dustin Thompson, Elizabeth Miller, Joshua Caldwell, and Jason Caldwell; twenty great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Active pallbearers are Craig Travers, Tommy Sharp, Richard Seith, Norman Klanika, Martin Quiram, Harry Dudik, and Heath Zucha. Honorary pallbearers are his grandsons, Justin Bailey, Joshua Caldwell, Jason Caldwell, Heath Lane, Joseph Ballew, Dustin Thompson, and Jodee Hall.