William E. Bailey, II, 84, resident of Baytown, Texas and formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away on Monday, January 14, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 16, 1934, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania to the late Paul and Ida Yeager Bailey. He graduated from Lewistown High School in 1952 and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict in the United States Marine Corps.
Bill was a resident of Baytown since 1975 after relocating from Pittsburgh. He retired from Bechtel with more than 30 years in the oil and gas industry. Bill pursued many interests, some of which included fishing, collecting guns, building models, working puzzles and setting up train sets with his grandsons. He was an avid sports fan who was dedicated to the Pittsburgh Steelers but tolerated the Texans. He also enjoyed watching wrestling on TV. But the thing he loved to do the most, was spending time with his family. Bill was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and was a Scout Master for Pack 813. He enjoyed participating in scouting activities with his troop.
Bill was honest to a fault and was not afraid to share his opinion. He loved his family dearly and was most proud of his grandchildren. Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Francis Bailey Hughes; his brother James Paul Bailey; and his grandparents James and Julia Yeager and William E. and Carrie Bailey. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 60 years, Arvely M. Bailey; his sons William E. Bailey and wife Lorry of Seabrook, Jeffrey M. Bailey and wife Marcie Gretza of Pearland and Robert D. Bailey and wife Donna of Dayton; his daughter Teresa L. Hartis and husband Tommy of Highlands; his grandchildren Ryan Bailey and wife Lindsay of Dayton, Daniel Dillard and wife Jessica of Dayton, Jeremy Dillard of Dayton, Pierce Bailey of Seabrook, Paige Maxwell and husband John of League City, Jackson Bailey and wife Alex of Katy, Michael Bailey, Pfc USN of San Diego, Christopher Bailey of Baytown, David Hartis of Baytown and John Cumbie of Dayton; his great-grandchildren Krystian, Kaycee and Riley Bailey and Chase, Carson and Tessa Dillard; his sister Donna Bailey Corder of Washington; his brothers Michael Bailey of Missouri, Paul Bailey of Virginia and John Bailey of Houston; and a host of other loving relatives, friends and anyone that knew him as Papa Bill.
In addition to flowers, contributions can be made in William Bailey’s honor to The Armed Forces and First Responders Appreciation Day at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The family will have a basket set up at the visitation on Friday, January 18, 2019, for anyone who would like to donate.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5pm until 8pm on Friday, January 18, 2019, in the chapel of Sterling Funeral Home, 602 N. Main Street, Dayton, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Sterling Funeral Home, with Pastor Jeffrey Giberson officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Sterling White Cemetery in Highlands, Texas.