Billy A. Bales

Billy A. Bales, 81, of Connersville, died Tuesday evening, July 31, 2012, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Billy was born July 23, 1931 in Lebanon Ohio to Chester Arthur and Alma Tungett Bales and was a 1950 graduate of Clarksburg High School, Decatur County Indiana. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954 with service aboard the USS Currituck. On July 12, 1956, he was married to the love of his life, the former Sally Shires at the Central Christian Church in Connersville. Billy was employed as a welder and electrician at Roots Blower from 1956 to 1997. For nineteen years, he served as the financial secretary for UAW, Local 1118. He attended area Baptist churches and was a member of the Warren Lodge #15, F. & A.M. since 1967; Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis; Elks Lodge #379, a Lifetime member of AMVETS Post 1, Loyal Order of the Moose #1160; and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 1065. Billy was a sports enthusiast of IU Basketball, Notre Dame Football, and Indianapolis Colts as well as Cincinnati Reds Baseball and was active in Connersville Little League for thirteen years. He most enjoyed time with his family and friends, cooking, traveling and attending his son, Don’s drag races throughout the country. Billy is survived by his wife of 56 years; five children: Robert Bales and his wife, Karen; Gary Bales; Jill Roberts; Don Bales; Tammy Bales and her fiancé, Brian Cook, all of Connersville; five grandchildren: Allen Bales and his wife, Eunice of Riverside, California; Jason Bales of Atlanta, Georgia; Stephanie Shaffer and her husband, Eric of Indianapolis; Logan Seale; Jay Bales and his fiancé, Jackie Hofer, all of Connersville; two great-grandchildren: Jayden and Ariya Bales; a brother: Louis Bales and his wife, Dixie of Oceanside, California; several nieces and nephews, including, John Clifton of San Diego, California and Mary Clifton Oliver of Andersonville, and many friends. In addition to his parents, Billy is preceded in death by his son: Dan Bales; four brothers: Floyd, Albert, Arnold and Donald Bales; a sister: Beatrice Clifton; and a son-in-law: John Roberts. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Rev. Gary Lore of the Cambridge City Nazarene Church officiating. Interment will follow in Lick Creek Cemetery with military honors by the Fayette County Veterans Council. Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where memorial Masonic services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Friday by Warren Lodge #15, F. & A.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette County Cancer Society. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com