He was born March 23, 1930, in Nicholas County, West Virginia, and was the son of the late Arthur Caleb and Marjorie Bailes. He graduated from Richwood High School where he lettered in basketball, baseball and football and was later inducted into the High School Football Hall of Fame. After high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served in the Air Police. He retired after 33 years as a driver for Greyhound Buslines, followed by 19 years at Ace Hardware in Union Grove. He enjoyed playing the guitar and played with the Gospel Voices.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Phyllis Bailes.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Julia Millsaps Bailes, whom he married on March 31, 1983; two step-daughters, Peggy Craig of Nitro, WV, and Jane Johnson of Hiddenite; two step-sons, Dennis Gilreath of Olin and David Gilreath of Union Grove; two step-sisters, Barbara Bennett of Lexington, Kentucky, and Ruth Anne Pontier (Sam) of Oregon; two step-brothers, Gary L. Bailes (Patty) and James Bailes (Debbie) both of Nettie, WV; five step-granddaughters; four step-grandsons; three step-nieces; five step-nephews; and his special dog and friend, Roscoe.
Funeral services celebrating Arthur’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, September 16, 2011, in the Ernest Troutman Memorial Chapel at Reavis Funeral Home of Harmony with Rev. Johnny Arnold officiating.
Burial will follow at Grassy Knob Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors being accorded by the Iredell County Veterans Council Burial Detail.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Friday at the funeral home prior to the service.
Dennis Gilreath, David Gilreath, Dylan Gilreath, Daniel Gilreath, Arnold Millsaps, and Dale Cook will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.reavisfuneralhomeharmony.com.
Reavis Funeral Home of Harmony is entrusted with the arrangements.
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