Charles William Bailey

Charles W. Bailey, M.D. Dr. Charles William (Billy) Bailey, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and healer passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 17, 2004 in Austin surrounded by loved ones. He was born on May 29, 1917, in Aleman, Texas to Dr. Thomas Bennett and Grace Wheeler Bailey and later moved to Brownwood. Billy moved to Austin in 1932 and attended Austin High School where he played in the Austin High Band and served as drum major. During that time, Billy met Mary Love Armacost, also a drum major for the band. Billy and Mary Love married in 1939 and until the day he died, Billy thought Mary Love was the most beautiful woman in the world. Billy graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston. He served his internship at Robert B. Greene Hospital in San Antonio and joined his father in medical practice in Austin in 1942. He attended the University of Texas Law School and received his J.D. in 1966, 25 years after receiving his M.D. He became a member of the Texas Bar Association and a Fellow of the American College of Legal Medicine. One of the “greatest generation”, Billy volunteered for service in the army and served as a combat surgeon as a Captain with the 29th Division, 116th Regiment in the European Theater from 1944 to 1946. He received a Purple Heart, Combat Medical Badge and a Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. In a Memorial Day tribute to veterans, it was said, “Imagine being a wounded soldier on the battlefield of WWII and looking up into the eyes of Billy Bailey.” Billy practiced medicine in Austin until 1985 in general practice and surgery and delivered over three thousand babies. Billy was physician, friend and advisor to Lyndon B. Johnson and the Johnson family, cared for President Johnson’s mother and delivered President Johnson’s first two grandchildren. Billy served on the Impaired Physicians’ Committees of the Texas Medical Association (1987-97) and the Travis County Medical Society (1984 to present). In addition, he served on the board of directors of the Greater Austin Council on Alcoholism and the Austin Rehabilitation Center. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and an elder of Central Christian Church. Billy was preceded in death by Dr. and Mrs. T.B. Bailey, Sr., brother T.B. Bailey, Jr. and wife Juanita, and two sisters Van Enola Chauvin and Mary Wilson Nored. He is survived by one brother, Robert. R. Bailey and wife Elizabeth of Mesquite. Cherishing his memory will be Mary Love, his wife of 64 years, son Dr. Charles W. Bailey, Jr. and wife Sue of Houston; daughters Barbara Gaines and husband Jimmy of Dripping Springs, Mary Love (Bitsy) Henderson and husband Sid Mallory of Minneapolis, Kay Head and husband Steve of Dallas; grandchildren Kathryn Burniston and husband Michael, Will Bailey, Chuck Luedemann, P.J. Henderson, Charlie Henderson, Sheridan Sheehan and husband Pat, Jimmy Gaines, Jr. and wife Jennifer, Randy Gaines and wife Audra, Anna Moss and husband Ryan and Scott Head; great grandchildren Anna Beth, Maggie, Joseph, Carson, Jessica, Katie, Ainsley and Curran; and many nieces, nephews and beloved friends. Pallbearers include Michael Burniston, Will Bailey, Chuck Luedemann, Jimmy Gaines, Jr., Randy Gaines, P.J. Henderson, Charlie Henderson, Scott Head and Ryan Moss. Honorary pallbearers are members of Suburban Alcoholic Foundation. Services will be held Friday, February 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Central Christian Church, 1110 Guadalupe. The Bailey children wish to express their deepest gratitude to their mother Mary Love for her loving care of their father. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to send memorial contributions in Billy’s name to a favorite charity which is dedicated to helping those with heart disease. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com