Bill Bailey

Billy “Bill” Bailey, age 80 years, a resident of Vienna, passed away peacefully Friday morning, April 24, 2020, at 2 AM at his home surrounded by members of his loving family. Bill was born March 8, 1940 at the family home near Eddyville, Illinois. He was the son of George ‘Ernest’ Bailey and Rita Helen (Behr) Bailey. On March 19, 1966, Bill was united in marriage to Evelyn Brent at the Eddyville Missionary Baptist Church. She survives. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by: his children – Brian Bailey of Vienna, Shawn (Angela) Bailey of the Dixon Springs community, Brad Bailey of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Christina (Anthony) Gagon of Satellite Beach, Florida; 6 grandchildren – Katelyn and Nathan Bailey, Dylan, Shepard, and Lauryn Gagon, and Lacy Bailey; a brother – Jim Bailey of Anna; a sister – Nancy (Mike) Solomon of Vienna; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by: 2 brothers – Richard Gordon Bailey, in childhood, and Phillip Ray “Cuz” Bailey. Bill was a 1958 graduate of Pope County Community High School. His lifelong working career was in construction labor. Bill had been employed for many years by E.T. Simonds Construction Company. Later, he worked for Wayne Vincent Construction and Richerson Excavating and Construction. Bill joined the Laborer’s International Union of North America in May 1960. Currently, he was a retired member of LIUNA local # 773. Following his retirement from the construction trade, Bill accepted a position as a custodian at the Vienna Grade School, where he was employed for 17 years. He was last employed by Bailey-Lamb Monument Company in Vienna and assisted with cemetery memorial installations. Bill is remembered for his strong work ethic and honest character. Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in his yard and gardening. He took great pleasure in raising a vegetable garden which provided produce not only for his own family but with plenty to share with friends and neighbors. Bill was also a skilled carpenter and handyman. He enjoyed making handcrafted wood items and tinkering in his workshop. The workshop was designed and hand constructed by Bill, with Evelyn as his capable assistant. While not a member of the fraternity, Bill always looked forward to helping with the Vienna Masonic Lodge fish fries and visiting with the lodge brethren. Bill also enjoyed attending local auctions, making and sharing his homemade deer jerky, and watching college basketball. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball team and his favorite player was catcher Yadier Molina. Bill was a Christian of the Protestant faith. He enjoyed listening to Southern Gospel music and the Gaither Homecoming series. A private service honoring the life of Bill Bailey will be held Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Travis Wilson and Pastor Kevin Richerson will officiate. Burial will be in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. The family would like to express its deep and heartfelt appreciation to Mercy Health – Hospice for the tremendous assistance, loving support and care which has been provided. Also, a special word of thanks to Bill’s physician, Dr. Thomas Staton, for his kind and professional care through the years. Lastly, a word of gratitude to all those who have called, text, brought food, sent cards, or remembered Bill and his family in prayer during his illness and in these days following his passing. Even though we can’t physically be with you at this time, please know your presence in spirit is strongly felt by our family and is a great source of comfort and support. Memorials may be made to Mercy Health – Hospice, 911 Joe Clifton Drive, Paducah, Kentucky 42001 or to the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery Association, c/o Chesley Williams, P.O. Box 714, Vienna, Illinois 62995.

Bill Bailey

March 8, 1940 - April 24, 2020