CUMBERLAND, April 1 – On March 30, 2008 a voice was heard “Bill Bailey, won't you please come home” and he left immediately, homeward bound. William Ralph Bailey Jr. was born June 11, 1938, the son of the late Mr. Bailey and Bessie Sue Reeves Bailey. His wife is Lucy Ore Bailey.

A graduate of EC Glass High School, he served in the U.S. Navy. He worked for Mead Corporation for several years.

On January 1, 1963, he was appointed a Virginia State Trooper, and assigned to Cumberland County, where he remained until 1983, when he retired on disability.

Subsequently, he owned Bill Bailey's Quality Auto Sales in Farmville for a number of years.

Bill grew up in Franklin Street Baptist Church, which is now Sandusky Baptist. Later he was a member of Farmville Baptist Church. At the time of his death, he and his wife were members of Browns Presbyterian Church located across the road from their home. He had a beautiful bass voice and often sang at weddings, funerals and other events.

He was Worshipful Master of the Cumberland Lodge AF&AM for two years, and remained a member until his death.

He loved people and had many friends. He was an excellent cook and loved having his friends, the more, the better, in to eat with him.

Bill's family still receives compliments on the way he conducted himself as a trooper and how hard he tried to be an example not only to his own children, but also to children in the neighborhood.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers-in-law, Leonard P. Staton, Masel Hanks and Charlie Ferguson, and a stepson, Robert E. Spencer Jr.

Survivors include in addition to his wife, two sons, William Ralph Bailey III and wife, Melissa of Farmville, and Dwayne Allen Bailey and wife, Dawn of Fort Lauderdale, FL; two grandsons, William R. Bailey IV of Farmville and his special friend, Rebecca Highland of Lost Creek, WVA, and Robert Travis Spenser and wife, Taralyn of Lynchburg; and a step daughter-in-law, Vickie D. Spencer, who loved him dearly. Additional survivors include his brother, Robert M. Bailey and three sisters, Betty B. Hanks and Mary B. Ferguson all of Lynchburg, and Barbara Arthur and husband, William of Columbus, GA; two nephews, David Arthur and wife, Julie of Ball Ground, GA, and Steve Arthur of Richmond; and a niece, Susan Showers and husband, Bob of Bel Aire, TX; several

cousins and innumerable friends and a very special friend, Elsie Johnson.

The family will receive friends at Shorter Funeral Home on Tuesday (tonight), April 1, 6-8 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at Shorter Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 2, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Rice.

The family suggest that contributions be made to Randolph Volunteer Fire Department, 2145 Cumberland Road, Farmville, VA 23901 or Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad, 500 Doswell Street, Farmville, VA 23901.

Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family.