William Clay (Bill) Bailey, 95, born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Emery T. Bailey and Jane Billings Bailey. His mother died when he was about 5 years old and was raised by his father and stepmother Flora, and his older sisters. Bill had 2 brothers: Jim and Charles; and 4 sisters: Margaret, Dora, Pearl and Bessie who were all older than Bill. He grew up in Ramona, OK. He was drafted in his senior year of high school at Ramona High into the Army Air Corp. (US Army) when WWII broke out. He served his country with honor and pride.
He married Vera Rose (Rose) Prather on January 29, 1946, in Bartlesville. He received his Associates degree in accounting on returning from the war. He worked for Amoco Oil Company (BP Oil) for 37 years. The company moved the family from Tulsa to Arlington, TX, to Tulsa, OK and to Chicago, IL before retiring to Broken Arrow, OK in 1986. Bill and Rose were blessed with three sons: Mike, Dave and Chris. Bill and Rose moved to assisted living care in 2015 when they were no longer able to care for themselves.
Bill was an avid OU football fan and attended as many games as he could. He loved being with his family watching football and having family dinners. He loved to travel with his wife, Rose. They took several driving trips around the country. They visited friends and family in California, Montana, Minnesota, and Virginia as well as many other areas. They traveled to Europe as well as an Alaskan cruise. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their three sons and their wives in Las Vegas with Rose’s brother William and his family.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, 2 brothers and 4 sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years – Rose; 3 sons and wives: Michael W. (Sherri), David F. (Laurie) and W. Christopher (Michelle); 6 grandsons: Scott Bailey, Camron Smith, Mark Bailey, Steven Bailey, Matthew Bailey and Daniel Bailey. Also survived by a nephew, Donnell Bailey and wife Beverly.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at University Village for their kindness and all the services they have done for both Bill and Rose over these past years. Also, we would like to thank the staff at Avow Hospice for all their help and kindness.
Funeral Services will be 1:00PM Thursday, October 15, 2020, at Schaudt’s Tulsa Funeral Service Chapel, with Brandon McCombs officiating. Military Honors will be performed by the Ft. Sill Funeral Honor Guard. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
