William George Bailey

William George Bailey, 88, passed away on August 5, 2016 in Orlando Florida. William was born on June 17, 1928 in Newport Rhode Island son of Rufus Elmer Darrah Bailey and Madeline Rose Bailey. He graduated from Rogers High School in Newport Rhode Island where he played hockey and after graduation he enrolled and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. As a draftsman. William then served in the United States Navy rising to the rank of a Chief Petty Officer and Navy Diver. After the war he moved to California and pursued a career working on and eventually becoming the captain of a private Yacht. Moving back to Florida with his new wife Onia Bailey he worked in the military industrial defense complex during the 60s space race working for many defense contractors William (Bill) as he was known by his friends and family, had during his life many eclectic hobbies and interests .One of which was to train large African cats both Bengal tigers and cheetahs which he and his wife did successfully in their private training preserve in Christmas Fl. Another interest was to become a Scottish drummer after joining Rosie O Grady's swinging Scots in the mid 80s. He played many performances including the highland games and parades in Orlando.After his divorce from Onia Bailey he remarried Marcia Switzer in the mid 90s And enjoyed a life of travel and adventure he continued to work in aviation as a designer after his retirement from Lockheed martin in 1987 However retirement was not for William so he designed custom helicopters at Vertical Aviation Technologies in Sanford Florida ultimately retiring again in 2012. He made many dear and best friends as a 50-year Master Free Mason and member of the Orlando Bahia Shrine Temple, (jesters) Fleet Reserve Association. A s Bill was a very musically inclined man he later enjoyed singing at the American legion in Sanford FL where he was a regular performer Bill always enjoyed a good drink with friends and was very socially involved he will be missed tremendously by all who knew him.

William is survived by his sons Norman P Bailey, Sr of Newport Rhode Island, William R Bailey and his wife Lisa Bailey of Eustis Florida and daughter Madeline M Moran and her husband Michael E Moran of Orlando Florida, his sister Claire Mc Crady of Charlottesville Virginia, his niece Melanie Page and her husband Johnathan Page of Ruckersville Virginia, his step son Larry Robertson and his wife Brenda Robertson of Connersville Indiana, his grandchildren Norman P Bailey Jr of Middletown Rhode Island, Jennifer Bailey of Newport Rhode Island, Holly Harshbarger and her husband Dan Harshbarger of Columbus Indiana, Kayla Asbury and her husband Josh Asbury of Connersville Indiana, Alexander Bailey of Eustis Florida, Evan Bailey of Eustis Florida, Sarah Bailey of Eustis Florida, Cameron A Cronk of Orlando Florida and great grandchildren Gabriel Bailey of Newport Rhode Island, Kelsey Bailey of Newport Rhode Island, Carly and Josie Harsbarger of Columbus Indiana, Madison, Ali and Sadie Asbury of Connersville Indiana. William was loved dearly by everyone and will be missed tremendously.