Bill Bailey, 61, ran into the waiting and loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 29, 2024. Bill was greeted by our mother, after a stressful 11-month separation for Bill. After a private funeral service, Bill was laid to rest beside his beloved mother.
Born William Paul Bailey on July 5, 1963 - Bill was the youngest of 5 children born to the late Paul and Barbara (Lowry) Bailey. Bill was also preceded in death by beloved nephew Geoffrey Ryan Bailey.
Bill is survived by his faithful sister, friend, and caregiver - Judy Bailey of Plymouth; and by wonderful and loving friends, family in every sense - Janice and Maurice Grindle.
Bill is further survived by siblings Martin Bailey, Kathy Snyder, and Richard Bailey, and their families.
We had hoped that Bill would pass in the comfort of our home, Bill's Disneyland.
God had other plans for Bill, and following years of declining health, Bill was blessed to end his life's journey in the next most peaceful and comforting environment, the Raclin House. In Bill's final days, Bill received outstanding nursing care from the nursing and support staff, who provided loving and compassionate care, for both of us. Bill also had a wonderful and caring homebound nurse, Kirsten, who was here when we needed her the most.
While Bill has endured and overcome many physical and mental challenges since birth, Bill never complained, he never gave up. He gave every day his utmost best. Every day was a challenge, every day an accomplishment. Bill never considered himself handicapped... he knew and accepted the fact that God had created him with special needs, and with special abilities.
To quote our friend Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, "Life is not about how fast you can run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce." And Bill bounced quite well for several years. Bill took his first solo steps at 25 months, and he never slowed down until his health declined.
Bill mastered a two-wheeler; he played golf and basketball. He was an avid bowler, and he enjoyed horseback riding and fishing. Bill enjoyed train rides, especially at Hoosier Valley in North Judson; where the engineers invited Bill up to the engine one day, showing him the controls and how to move the train, and allowed him to hang his arm out the window and blow the horn!!
Bill loved plays at the Round Barn at Amish Acres, and at the Wagon Wheel in Warsaw. Bill loved dining out, shopping, and rides to anywhere but the dentist and eye doctor. He enjoyed our bus trips with mom to Branson and Nashville, TN. And he enjoyed the countless trips and camping at Bear Creek with Janice.
Bill loved Notre Dame Women’s Basketball, especially during Skylar Diggins time at ND. One of Bill's cherished possessions is an autographed picture of him standing between Coach Muffett McGraw, and Skylar. Also, his autographed ND basketball signed by the entire team.
Bill also enjoyed attending Bethel College's Men's Basketball games to cheer on his friend Joel Grindle. Bill's shelf of prized possessions also boasts a Bethel basketball autographed by Joel, coach Lightfoot, and the rest of the team.
Bill was patriotic. He loved the flag, and he loved our country. He loved the colors red and blue. When we saw a flag, or heard the National Anthem, whether at home or in public, we absolutely had to salute, or place our hand over our heart. Bill would often thank a veteran for their sacrifice and service to our beloved country.
Bill loved his family, his church, and he loved Jesus.
Bill's favorite place was our sunroom - where he would rock, relax, and enjoy his coffee or a cherry Pepsi - while listening to music on one of his favorite radios. He would often have a pile of magazines on his lap, or a box of old family photos.
Bill found joy in the simple pleasures - watching the birds and squirrels from the sunroom, watching horse racing on TV with a milk shake or root beer float. Or merely laughing at his favorite sitcoms like I Love Lucy and Mama's Family.
I was blessed with a very special and loving brother, a true gift from God. Bill possessed an intelligence that defied book learning. Bill was intelligent, one just needed to be patient and kind, to learn just how much he knew and understood. Bill had very keen insights into life.
Bill was my best brother. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a hearty laugh, a contagious smile, and he gave the best bear hugs.
I have always loved and believed in Bill, and I have always wanted him to experience the very best life possible. As Bill's sister, friend, and caregiver - it has been a privilege and an honor to be an important part of his life. Bill has been a blessing in my life. I have learned humility, patience, and unconditional love. I have learned to give freely without expectation.
I am grateful for the years that we have shared as brother and sister, and as best friends. Plain and simple, my best brother Bill was my hero. Always has been, always will be.
Bill, God did some amazing work when he made you, and we have all been blessed to have you in our lives. I hope you knew how much you were loved and cherished. You brought a lot of sunshine and laughter into our lives, and you will be dearly missed.
In memory of Bill, please consider a simple act of kindness to someone in need.
And as Bill often ended a sentence, "Thank you, and God Bless America."
Thank you to all our friends and community for your support during this difficult time.
Deaton-Clemens Van Gilder Funeral Home is honored to be providing our services in celebrating the life of Bill and wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the Bailey family. Friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at: www.deatonclemensfh.com.
