Bruce Bailey

In 1957, the family moved from Sharon, PA to Athens, GA for the initial opening of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation overhead transformer plant. Bruce was the youngest member of the original “start-up team” that moved from Sharon. He remained in management at Westinghouse for 36 years until his retirement. Although presented with many opportunities to move to other Westinghouse plants throughout the US, Bruce and Betty chose to make Athens their home.

Bruce was active in many facets of the Athens community including St. Mary’s Auxiliary, Athens Barbershop Chorus, House advisor for the Georgia Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity when the chapter first chartered in 1976, UGA Learning in Retirement (now OLLI), Recording for the Blind, and was a member of the Freemasons.

Bruce and Betty were avid world traveller testified by 64 international trips touching all seven continents. A favorite agenda was to start in London to take in the theatre and pubs then venture out into the English, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish countrysides. Another favorite joy for Bruce was taking his sons and later his grandsons fishing, especially trout fishing in the north Georgia mountains.

He was a member of Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church until moving to Chapelwood United Methodist Church in 1978 and held many positions at both including Sunday School teacher, active Men’s club member, and choir member.

His brother Arthur preceded Bruce in death. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Betty Wimer Bailey; sisters Elizabeth Hay (George) of Syracuse, NY and Ellen Jane Spaulding (Jon) of Dillsburg, PA; daughter Debora Bailey (Russell) of Huntsville, AL; sons Craig Bailey (Becky) of Batavia, OH and Doug Bailey (Peggy) of Athens, GA; and five grandchildren Matthew Roth (Tyler) of Raleigh, NC, Stephen Bailey (Lindsey) of Athens, GA, Jessica Bailey of Batavia, OH, Christopher Roth of Huntsville, AL, and Brian Bailey of Batavia, OH.

Funeral Services will be 3:00 pm Saturday, April 11th at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Richard Moeller, presiding.

The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Friday at Chapelwood United Methodist Church.

The family requests donations to St. Mary’s Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604 or to Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 100 Janice Drive, Athens, GA 30606.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service are in charge of the arrangements.