Obituary
Virgil Ray (Bill) Bailey, 90 years old, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Vitas Hospice Center, in Rockledge, Florida.
He was born the son of William Ray Bailey and Mabel Campsadell Henderson on August 30, 1934, in Hope, Indiana. He grew up in Columbus, Indiana and lived there until he entered the United States Marine Corps in November 1952. He went through boot camp at Camp Pendleton, California and then was assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miami. He was an aircraft mechanic while stationed there and worked on the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Little did he know that this assignment in Miami would lead him to the love of his life, Nina Jean Justice after showing up in a local church with a fellow Marine, Charlie Brown. Six months after meeting, they married in Folkston, Georgia on May 29, 1954, and had recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
With his Marine Corps training, Bill Bailey began a lengthy career working for United States Space programs – starting with the Bomarc XF-99 missile program. He was hired directly in 1957 and went to work at what would become the Cape Canaveral / Space Center (and then the Kennedy Space Center, predating NASA’s 1958 founding). His career was long and distinguished spanning 42 years. He began as a technician, then a quality inspector and then was promoted to the Manager of Quality Inspection, where he was named Manager of the Year for the Quality Department. He participated in every human space flight from Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Soyuz and the first one hundred Space Shuttle launches and landing. Bill Bailey is also honored as a part of Space Worker Hall of Honor at the American Space Museum. Retiring in 2000, he and Jean enjoyed traveling, going to the beach and spending time with family and friends.
Bill Bailey was an avid runner during his time at the Kennedy Space Center and often ran with his best friend, Ed Brisson. One of his proud accomplishments was completing a full marathon and participating in the annual Beat the Boss runs on Cocoa Beach.
Bill Bailey is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Nina Jean Bailey, their two children- CW Bailey and Melanie Bailey, granddaughters – Brenda Townley (Bill Townley), Dixie Steuerwald (Adam Steuerwald), Amanda Pearson (Tommy Pearson), Jessica Kee (Jeremy Kee) and Sarah Bailey (Corey Sanders). Great grandchildren, Alex Townley, Landon Townley, Courtney Townley, Tanner Steuerwald, Colt Steuerwald, Riley Pearson, Noah Pearson, Trey Levi, Logan Levi and great, great grandson, Colin Bakkal and his brother, Roy Lee Bailey (Linda Bailey) and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins that are cherished part of his family.
Bill Bailey is preceded in death by his parents and their spouses, William Ray Bailey (Ocie Bailey), Mabel Campsadell Henderson Bailey Beabout (Charles Beabout), sisters Margaret Bailey Ferguson (Roy Ferguson) and Mary Annadell Bailey Trobaugh (Dillard Trobaugh).
A celebration of life with Military honors will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. We ask that you share in the pride that Dad always carried with him of this country and his Marine Corps service. We request wearing red, white, or blue as we celebrate the amazing life that Bill Bailey lived and shared with us all. All are welcome to attend and share your memories.
Bill Bailey will be interred at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL in a private ceremony.
Papa
My Papa on Thanksgiving some years ago.