Willard Franklin Bailey

Willard Franklin Bailey, 86, of Terry, MS passed away of Friday May 24, 2013 at Baptist Medical Center. Visitation is scheduled from 9am until the 11am Funeral Service Tuesday, May 28 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. Burial will follow at Bethesda Baptist Church Cemetery in Terry. Willard was born in Weir, MS on November 27, 1926 to Ruby and Clyde Bailey. His father passed away when Willard was only 7 years old. He worked for Campbell 66 Express from 1951 to 1986 as a dock foreman. He was an avid gardener, growing enough vegetables to supply the county. He always had a love for animals and through the years enjoyed buying, swapping and trading hunting dogs with his friends. He enjoyed taking his dogs out and listening to them run a deer or rabbit. He also enjoyed fishing and would sit on the bank for hours. Sometimes he would come home with nothing and other times have a stringer full. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed taking his grandchildren with him. His greatest passion was gospel music. He and his wife would go and stay all night. There was never a church too far that they wouldn’t travel to listen to a “good ole gospel song.” He always had his foot tapping to the music. Mr. Bailey is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ruby Bailey: a daughter, Wanda Sue Bailey: brother, Robert (Lorraine) Bailey; and sister, Evelyn (Jack) Tadlock. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Emma Box Bailey; son, William Clyde (Judy) Bailey; daughter, Ruth (Scott) Mareci; daughter, Diane (Bill) Turcotte; son, John Willard Bailey; sister, Inez (Ralph) Reed; 3 grandchildren, Scott (Kate) Bailey, Janet (Vernon) Decker, and Jason Whittington; 4 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews The family wants to give Special Thanks to Dr. Barry Whites, the staff at Baptist Medical Center and the special love and care of 3A. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital