Douglas William Bailey

Douglas William Bailey passed away Monday, October 20, 2014 at the age of 94 with family at his side. Doug was born on October 31, 1919 to William and Esther Bailey in Long Beach, California. At the age of 21, he met and married a very lovely young woman named Phyllis McCracken. Doug entered into service with the United States Army on August of 1944 where he spent most of his duty in the Philippines. After the war ended, he developed his passion to fly. He learned to fly from the only legless pilot in the world at Bishop, California. In 1962 he completed building his first experimental aircraft and received a certificate of recognition from the Experimental Aircraft Association. He would go on to build a total of five experimental airplanes. Doug retired from the Kern County Fourth Road District in 1979 and enjoyed retirement for 35 years.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis Bailey; two brothers, Herbert (Buck) Bailey and Buster Bailey and a grandson, Matthew Kinser.

He is survived by his daughters, Patricia A. Bailey, Bonnie L. Kinser, Terri L. Field and her husband Greg; 9 grandchildren: Marcie Shannon, Lance Tweedy, Brent Kinser, Tracy Byerly, Becky Arnold, Amber Garza, Lacy Silicz, Megan Wilkerson, Audrey Field; 18 great grandchildren: Josh, Devin, Kyle, Marissa, Lindsay, Leah, Beau, Sterling, Charley, Christian, Brayden, Ashlyn, Andrew, David, Haylee, Kaleb, Ethan and Madysyn; 6 great great grandchildren: Isabel, Joseph, Andrew, Charlie, Lyrik and Makenna.

The family would like to thank Comfort Care and Hoffman Hospice for the excellent care provided to him before he left this world. His passion for flying was part of his soul. We are comforted to know that he now soars with the angels in heaven.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 11:00am at Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the name of Douglas W. Bailey to the Minner Field Air Museum, P.O. Box 445, Shafter, CA 93263.