Scott Field Bailey

Bishop Bailey was born 7 October 1916 in Houston, TX. where he received his early education.

He received his BA degree in 1938 from Rice University, after which he attended the University of Texas Law School and the Virginia Theological Seminary, obtaining his Master in Divinity degree in 1942.

He was ordained a deacon and priest by Bishop Clinton S. Quin.

In 1953, he received the Master of Sacred Theology degree from the University of the South.

Later, Doctor of Divinity degrees were conferred upon him by the Virginia Seminary, the University of the South, and the Seminary of the Southwest.

Bishop Bailey began his ministry in 1942 at St. Paul's Church, Waco, where he was associate rector as well as priest-in-charge of St. Mary's Church, Lampasas.

From 1943 to 1946, he served as Chaplain in the U.S. Navy, having duty in Connecticut, New York, and the South Pacific.

In 1946, he became rector of Christ Church, Nacogdoches, and priest-in-charge of Christ Church, San Augustine.

In 1951, he was called to be rector of All Saint's Church, Austin, and Director of Episcopal Student Activities at the University of Texas.

He founded St. Andrews Episcopal School in Austin and has been instrumental in the life of St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin.

In 1961, Bishop Bailey moved to the Diocesan headquarters in Houston as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop of Texas and was designated by the Diocesan Council as Canon to the Ordinary.

He was elected Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas in 1964 and served there until 1975 when he was named Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of West Texas.

Upon the retirement of Bishop Gosnell, Bishop Bailey was instituted as the Sixth Bishop of West Texas on 17 February 1977.

Bishop Bailey was Secretary of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church from 1967 until 1988.

He was President of the Church Historical Society, 1967 - 1986, and Chairman of the Board of the Archives of the Episcopal Church for its inception in 1985 until 1996.

In 1974, he was appointed the Executive Officer of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church and continued in that capacity through 1976.

During the ten years that he was Bishop of West Texas, he served St. Mary's Hall and Texas Military Institute as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Bishop Bailey retired as Bishop of West Texas 12 February 1987, and has made his home in San Antonio at the Towers on Parklane.

Bishop Bailey is survived by his wife, the former Evelyn Louise Williams; four children, Louise Mrs. Allen Taylor, Nicholas, Scott, Jr., and Sarah Mrs. Hugh A. Fitzsimons III; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Bailey, Katherine Bailey, Asa, Patrick and Evelyn Fitzsimons, Clayton and Bailey Taylor; and two great-grandchildren, Hudson and Griffin Taylor.

Scott Field will always be remembered by his family and friends for his quiet presence, his kind, compassionate, reassuring, warm and loving manner.

He was the most exceptional man, and the very essence of who a man should be; forging love and compassion into a strength of character that spoke volumes to everyone.

He helped people realize the love of God within themselves and the love that God has for all people.