William A. Bailey, Sr

BAILEY, William A., Sr.
Kalamazoo, MI William Albert Bailey, Sr., age 88, passed away Saturday evening, January 26, 2013, at his home. He was born on May 21, 1924 in Dowagiac, MI a son of the late Edward C. and Mable A. Pickard Bailey. William entered the US Army in 1943. He served with the 15th Tank Battalion in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe until his honorable discharge in 1946. He retired from the Upjohn Company where he worked in the electric shop and lighting service. William was a member of VFW Post 5855 and enjoyed studying WWII history. William was an avid bowler and enjoyed many years of bowling in various leagues. On September 14, 1946, William was united in marriage with the former Shirley Cook. He was a loving and devoted husband of 57 years and took care of Shirley throughout her long illness until her death on January 21, 2003. One of William's greatest joys was being with his family and helping his grandchildren. Once the grandchildren were grown he became very fond of his granddogs who came to visit him often. William is survived by: two children and their spouses, Janice Murray McBride of Ithaca, NY and William A. Suzanne Bailey, Jr., of Kalamazoo; three grandchildren, Devin McBride, AndrewSamantha Bailey of Lansing and Michael Bailey of Grand Rapids; a brother, Edward C. Emma Bailey, Jr. of Florida; a sister, Blanche Max Howe of Decatur; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5 -8pm on Wednesday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Graveside services will be held 2:00 Thursday afternoon in the mausoleum chapel of Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park, South with Pastor Jim Dyke, officiating. Memorials should be directed to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.